Gillespie Pond Dam dam
Gillespie Pond Dam
Gillespie Pond Dam, also known as Mitchell Pond Dam #6, is a private dam located in Pineville, North Carolina. Built in 1968, this earth dam stands at a structural height of 15 feet and a hydraulic height of 11 feet, creating a reservoir with a normal storage capacity of 57 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 68 acre-feet. The dam is primarily used for recreational purposes, offering a tranquil spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy the surrounding Four Mile Creek-Os river and stream.
Despite being privately owned, Gillespie Pond Dam is subject to state inspections to ensure its safety and structural integrity. The dam has a low hazard potential and is currently rated in fair condition as of its last assessment in October 2018. With a drainage area of 429 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 99 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a vital role in managing water resources in the region. Enthusiasts interested in water resource management and climate resilience can appreciate the significance of this dam in the local ecosystem.
As a recreational structure in Mecklenburg County, Gillespie Pond Dam offers visitors a picturesque setting for outdoor activities and serves as a prime location for observing the intersection of water resources and climate dynamics. While not under federal regulation, the dam's maintenance and inspection remain important aspects to ensure its continued safe operation and contribution to the surrounding environment. Passionate individuals interested in water resource management and climate adaptation can find inspiration in the sustainable use of this dam for recreational and environmental purposes.
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 Gillespie Pond 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 | 6 cfs | → |
| Little Sugar Creek At Pineville | 20 cfs | → |
| Mcmullen Cr At Sharon View Rd Near Charlotte | 1 cfs | → |
| Sugar Creek At Nc 51 Near Pineville | 37 cfs | → |
| Mcalpine Cr At Sardis Road Near Charlotte | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gillespie Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Piedmont Medical Center Trail York County
- Waterford Trail Rock Hill
- New Gray Rock Road Tega Cay
- Soldier Road 15299, Mecklenburg County
- Copperhead Island Mecklenburg County
- Catawba Nation Greenway Trail York 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
- Pittman Lake
Track Gillespie Pond 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 Gillespie Pond Dam
Where does the data for Gillespie Pond 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 Low 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 Gillespie Pond Dam.