Quail Acres Dam dam
Quail Acres Dam
Quail Acres Dam, located in Matthews, North Carolina, was completed in 1962 and serves as a private recreational area for water enthusiasts. The earth dam stands at a structural height of 30 feet, with a hydraulic height of 24 feet, creating a reservoir with a normal storage capacity of 68 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 85 acre-feet. The dam spans 400 feet in length and covers a surface area of 7.1 acres, drawing water from the Four Mile Creek-Tr river system.
Despite its scenic appeal, Quail Acres Dam poses a high hazard potential and has been rated in poor condition as of the last assessment in July 2020. The dam is regulated by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) Dam Safety Program, which conducts regular inspections to ensure compliance with state regulations and enforce necessary maintenance measures. The dam's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) was last revised in January 2016, indicating the importance of preparedness in the event of a potential breach.
Water and climate enthusiasts visiting Quail Acres Dam should be mindful of its condition and the potential risks associated with its high hazard rating. As a privately owned structure for recreation, the dam offers a picturesque setting for outdoor activities but requires proactive maintenance to ensure public safety and prevent any emergencies. The collaborative efforts of state agencies and the dam's owners are essential in managing the risks and preserving this water resource for future enjoyment.
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 Quail Acres Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Four Mile Creek Near Pineville | 3 cfs | → |
| Mcalpine Cr Below Mcmullen Cr Nr Pineville | 5 cfs | → |
| Mcalpine Cr At Sardis Road Near Charlotte | 2 cfs | → |
| Mcmullen Cr At Sharon View Rd Near Charlotte | 0 cfs | → |
| Little Sugar Creek At Pineville | 38 cfs | → |
| Sugar Creek At Nc 51 Near Pineville | 32 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Quail Acres Dam.
Boat launches
- Piedmont Medical Center Trail York County
- Waterford Trail Rock Hill
- Catawba Nation Greenway Trail York County
- New Gray Rock Road Tega Cay
- Soldier Road 15299, Mecklenburg County
- Copperhead Island Mecklenburg County
Campgrounds
- Sign Language
- Mcdowell Nature Preserve
- Ebenezer County Park
- Andrew Jackson State Park
- Cane Creek Park
- Williams Farm
Fishing spots
- Buck Branch
- Mountain Island Park Fishing Access
- Arrowhead Lake
- Abbotts Creek
- Badin Lake Lakemont Rd
- Blewett Falls Lake Grassy Island
Track Quail Acres 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 Quail Acres Dam
Where does the data for Quail Acres 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 Quail Acres Dam.