Sampsonwood Lake dam
Sampsonwood Lake
Sampsonwood Lake, located in Carter, Tennessee, is a picturesque water resource nestled along the banks of Reedy Creek. This local government-owned reservoir was completed in 1963 and serves as a vital source of water storage with a capacity of 91 acre-feet. With a surface area of 6 acres and a drainage area of 0.33 square miles, Sampsonwood Lake plays a crucial role in the region's water management system.
The dam at Sampsonwood Lake is an earth-type structure with a hydraulic height of 23.4 feet and a structural height of 28.9 feet. The lake's spillway, although uncontrolled, helps regulate the water levels in the reservoir. While the hazard potential is deemed significant, with a moderate risk assessment, the condition of the dam is currently not rated. Regular inspections are conducted every five years to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure, highlighting the commitment to maintaining a secure water resource for the community.
Boasting a tranquil setting and serving as a hub for water enthusiasts and climate advocates, Sampsonwood Lake offers a serene environment for recreation and appreciation of the natural landscape. With its rich history and significant role in water management, this reservoir exemplifies the importance of sustainable water resource management in the region.
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 Sampsonwood Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Watauga River At Elizabethton | 335 cfs | → |
| Doe River At Elizabethton | 293 cfs | → |
| Nolichucky River At Embreeville | 2,020 cfs | → |
| Beaver Creek At Bristol | 13 cfs | → |
| N F Holston River Near Gate City | 208 cfs | → |
| Big Limestone Creek Near Limestone | 26 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sampsonwood Lake.
Boat launches
- Wagner Road, Watauga
- Lovers Lane 338, Carter County
- Blevins 221-259, Johnson City
- Dry Branch Road 1293, Bluff City
- Lands End Court Johnson City
- Highway 390 4100-4240, Bluff City
Campgrounds
- Watauga Dam Tailwater
- Low Gap Camp
- Cardens Bluff Campground
- Cardens Bluff
- Dennis Cove Recreation Area
- Dennis Cove Rec Area
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Tn/Va State Line
- Watauga Reservoir To Tn/Nc State Line
- Tn/Nc State Line (Rm 100.6) To Mine Branch (Rm 99.3)
- Boundary Between Mitchell And Yancy Counties To Nc/Tn Stateline
- Headwaters Above Linville Gap To Blue Ridge Parkway Boundary
- Confluence With Guest River To Confluence With Little Stony Creek
Track Sampsonwood Lake 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 Sampsonwood Lake
Where does the data for Sampsonwood Lake 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 Significant 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 Sampsonwood Lake.