Skitty Creek dam
Skitty Creek
Skitty Creek, also known as Cliffside Lake Dam, is a concrete dam located in Macon, North Carolina. Built in 1936 by the USDA Forest Service, this dam serves the primary purpose of creating a fish and wildlife pond, as well as providing recreational opportunities in the area. With a height of 16 feet and a length of 130 feet, Skitty Creek has a storage capacity of 55 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 8 acres.
Managed by the Forest Service, Skitty Creek is regulated by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program. The dam is classified as having a high hazard potential, with a moderate risk assessment rating. The last inspection in January 2018 deemed the dam's condition as not rated, indicating that further assessment may be needed to ensure its safety and structural integrity. Despite its age, Skitty Creek remains an important water resource for the surrounding area, supporting both wildlife habitats and recreational activities.
As a part of the Savannah District under the US Army Corps of Engineers, Skitty Creek plays a vital role in water management and conservation efforts in the region. While the dam is currently not rated in terms of its condition assessment, ongoing inspections and risk assessments are crucial in ensuring the safety of the structure and the community it serves. With its rich history and environmental significance, Skitty Creek continues to be a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the intersection of infrastructure and natural ecosystems.
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 Skitty Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Tennessee River Near Prentiss | 138 cfs | → |
| Cartoogechaye Creek Near Franklin | 261 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee R At Franklin | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Nr Cullowhee | 75 cfs | → |
| Chattooga River Near Clayton | 203 cfs | → |
| Tallulah River Near Clayton | 62 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Skitty Creek.
Boat launches
- Canada Road 14091, Tuckasegee
- Devils Fork Road Oconee County
- White Oak Hill Road Oconee County
- Great Smoky Mountains Expressway 5453, Jackson County
- Cabin Road 398, Pickens County
- Landing Road Oconee County
Campgrounds
- Van Hook Glade
- Van Hook Glade Campground
- Blue Valley Camp
- Blue Valley Dispersed Camping
- Ralph Andrews County Park
- Burrells Ford
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Ga/Nc State Line To 2 Miles Downriver
- Burrels Ford To Lick Log Branch (Section 1)
- 1/4 Mile Below Walhalla Fish Hatchery To Boundary Of Chattooga Wsr
- 1/4 Mile Above The Walhalla Fish Hatchery To 1/4 Mile Below The Walhalla Fish Hatchery
- Sloan's Bridge Crossing To 1/4 Mile Above The Walhalla Fish Hatchery
- Headwaters To Sloan's Bridge Crossing, Crossing Of Sc 107
Track Skitty Creek 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 Skitty Creek
Where does the data for Skitty Creek 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 Skitty Creek.