Nelson Elam #1 dam
Nelson Elam #1
Nelson Elam #1, also known as Nelson Elam Dam, is a private-owned structure located in Bethlehem, Williamson County, Tennessee. Built in 1966 by the USDA NRCS, this Earth-type dam serves primarily as a Fish and Wildlife Pond, with additional purposes including Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, and Recreation. Situated on the TRIBWEST HARPETH RIVER, the dam stands at a hydraulic height of 22.6 feet and a structural height of 28.4 feet, with a total length of 492 feet. The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 94 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 10.4 acres, serving as a vital habitat for local wildlife.
With a high hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Nelson Elam #1 remains a critical structure in need of regular inspection and maintenance. Although the dam is not currently rated for its condition, it is essential to ensure its integrity to prevent any potential risks to the surrounding community. Despite not being regulated by the state or federal agencies, the dam's importance in providing wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities underscores the need for continued monitoring and risk management measures. As a valuable asset in the region, Nelson Elam #1 plays a key role in supporting the local ecosystem and enhancing water resource sustainability in the area.
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 Nelson Elam #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Harpeth River Below Franklin | 27 cfs | → |
| Copperas Branch Near Kingfield | 1 cfs | → |
| Harpeth River At Franklin | 18 cfs | → |
| Harpeth River At Bellevue | 47 cfs | → |
| Harpeth River Near Kingston Springs | 38 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Near Nolensville | 801 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Nelson Elam #1.
Boat launches
- Cleeces Ferry Boat Ramp
- River Trail Maury County
- Brush Creek Recreational Area
- Riverside Drive 302, Columbia
- Iron Bridge Road 918, Columbia
- Carpenter Bridge Road 2308, Columbia
Campgrounds
- Camping Municipal
- Woodland Shelter
- Wildcat Shelter
- Montgomery Bell State Park
- Campers Rv Park
- Tennessee Highway 50 Bicycle-Only Campground, At Milepost 408
Paddle runs
- The Henryville Bridge Crossing On County Road 6230 To Bethel Bridge On County Road 6174
- Bethel Bridge On County Road 6174 To Confluence With Duck River
More reservoirs
Track Nelson Elam #1 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 Nelson Elam #1
Where does the data for Nelson Elam #1 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 High 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 Nelson Elam #1.