High Meadows Lake Dam dam
High Meadows Lake Dam
High Meadows Lake Dam, located in Cherry Lane, North Carolina, is a privately-owned structure with a primary purpose of irrigation. With a hydraulic height of 39.9 feet and a structural height of 43 feet, this earth dam spans 600 feet and provides a storage capacity of 103 acre-feet. The dam sits on Laurel Branch-Tr, serving as a crucial water resource in Alleghany County.
Although the dam is classified as having a high hazard potential, its condition assessment has been rated as fair during the latest inspection in March 2021. The dam is state-regulated by the North Carolina Dam Safety Program, ensuring that it undergoes regular inspections, permitting, and enforcement to maintain safety standards. Despite the potential risks associated with its hazard level, the dam continues to serve its purpose effectively for irrigation and other secondary uses like fire protection, stock, small fish ponds, and recreation.
As an important structure in the region, High Meadows Lake Dam plays a vital role in water management and resource allocation in Alleghany County. With its proximity to the Wilmington District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, the dam's operation and maintenance are crucial in ensuring the safety and reliability of the water supply for both agricultural and recreational purposes. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the effective management of dams like High Meadows Lake Dam becomes increasingly important for sustainable water use in the face of evolving environmental conditions.
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 High Meadows Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mitchell River Near State Road | 57 cfs | → |
| Yadkin River At Elkin | 526 cfs | → |
| New River Near Galax | 652 cfs | → |
| Chestnut Creek At Galax | 27 cfs | → |
| Fisher River Near Copeland | 177 cfs | → |
| Reddies River At North Wilkesboro | 37 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near High Meadows Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Old River Lane 998, Grayson County
- Farmers Fish Camp Road Alleghany County
- Baywood Boat Ramp
- Riverside Boat Ramp
- Cox's Chapel Road Grayson County
- Pattons Mill Lane 1434, Grayson County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track High Meadows Lake Dam 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 High Meadows Lake Dam
Where does the data for High Meadows Lake Dam 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 High Meadows Lake Dam.