Spectrum dam
Spectrum
Spectrum, located in Robertson, Tennessee, is a privately owned earth dam constructed in 1974 for recreational purposes along the TRIBPOLE BRIDGE BRANCH stream. With a hydraulic height of 25 feet and a structural height of 27.2 feet, Spectrum has a storage capacity of 37 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 3 acres. Despite being unregulated by the state and having a low hazard potential, Spectrum falls under moderate risk assessment due to its location and design.
The dam, with a length of 296 feet, does not have an outlet gate or spillway width, making it an uncontrolled spillway type structure. Although it has not been assessed for its condition, Spectrum undergoes inspections every 5 years with the last one conducted in March 2016. The dam's emergency action plan status is unknown, and there is limited information available on risk management measures. Despite its moderate risk assessment, Spectrum remains a popular recreational spot in the Nashville District, serving as an essential water resource for the local community.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Spectrum offers a unique case study in dam infrastructure management and risk assessment. Its blend of recreational use, moderate risk assessment, and limited state regulation presents an intriguing balance between public safety and environmental enjoyment. As climate change continues to impact water resources, understanding the maintenance and risk factors associated with structures like Spectrum becomes increasingly important for ensuring the sustainable use of our natural water sources.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Spectrum -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Creek Near Edenwold | 3 cfs | → |
| Whites Creek Near Bordeaux | 35 cfs | → |
| Sycamore Creek Near Ashland City | 108 cfs | → |
| Cumberland River At Woodland St At Nashville | 7,180 cfs | → |
| Cumberland River At Nashville | 5,230 cfs | → |
| Richland Creek At Charlotte Ave | 11 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Spectrum.
Boat launches
- Marrowbone Lake Road 6398, Nashville-Davidson
- Rockland Boat Ramp
- Burnett Road 827, Nashville
- Lock 2 Road, Nashville
- Mallard Point Park
- Old Hickory Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Cages Bend - Old Hickory Lake
- Cedar Creek - Old Hickory Lake
- Camp Light
- Camping Municipal
- Harpeth River Bridge
- Seven Points - J. Percy Priest Reservoir
More reservoirs
Track Spectrum in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Spectrum
Where does the data for Spectrum come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Spectrum.