White dam
White
White, also known as Russell White Dam, is a private-owned structure located in Bingham, Tennessee, along the West Harpeth River. Built in 1976 by the USDA NRCS, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 21.8 feet and serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction. With a storage capacity of 91 acre-feet and a surface area of 8.6 acres, White Dam plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding areas from potential flooding events.
Although not regulated by the state, White Dam is considered to have a significant hazard potential, with a moderate risk assessment rating. Despite its age, the dam has not been rated for its condition and lacks essential emergency preparedness measures such as an Emergency Action Plan. However, with a regular inspection frequency of 5 years, efforts are being made to ensure the safety and integrity of this important infrastructure. The dam's uncontrolled spillway type and rock and soil foundations highlight the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to address any potential risks and ensure its continued functionality in the face of changing climatic conditions.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is important to recognize the vital role that structures like White Dam play in mitigating flood risks and safeguarding communities and ecosystems. By understanding the characteristics and potential vulnerabilities of such dams, we can work towards implementing effective risk management measures and emergency response plans to protect our water resources and adapt to the challenges posed by a changing climate.
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 White -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Harpeth River At Franklin | 14 cfs | → |
| Harpeth River Below Franklin | 31 cfs | → |
| Copperas Branch Near Kingfield | 1 cfs | → |
| Harpeth River At Bellevue | 41 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Near Nolensville | 801 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Near Antioch | 78 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near White.
Boat launches
- Carpenter Bridge Road 2308, Columbia
- River Trail Maury County
- Iron Bridge Road 918, Columbia
- Riverside Drive 302, Columbia
- Cleeces Ferry Boat Ramp
- Lillard's Mill Launch Area
Campgrounds
- Campers Rv Park
- Camping Municipal
- Henry Horton State Park
- Anderson Road - J. Percy Priest Reservoir
- Tennessee Highway 50 Bicycle-Only Campground, At Milepost 408
- Poole Knobs - J. Percy Priest Reservoir
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track White 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 White
Where does the data for White 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 White.