Comm Scope Dam dam
Comm Scope Dam
Comm Scope Dam, located in Catawba, North Carolina, along the Catawba River-Os, was completed in 1967 by the USDA NRCS. This privately owned dam serves a primary purpose of "Other" and is classified as an Earth dam with Stone core and Soil foundation. With a hydraulic height of 40 feet, a structural height of 50 feet, and a length of 900 feet, the dam provides a normal storage capacity of 560 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 672 acre-feet.
The dam, with a significant hazard potential and fair condition assessment, is regulated by the NCDEQ Dam Safety Program and undergoes regular inspections. The spillway is uncontrolled, and the outlet gates are also uncontrolled. Despite its moderate risk assessment, the dam has not been modified in recent years. Emergency action plans are not explicitly mentioned in the data, but the dam is closely monitored to ensure the safety of the surrounding community in Keisters Store.
Overall, Comm Scope Dam is a crucial structure in the management of water resources in the region, playing a key role in flood control and water storage along the Catawba River-Os. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find interest in the design and operation of this dam, as well as the regulatory framework that governs its maintenance and safety.
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 Comm Scope Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Killian Creek Near Mariposa | 44 cfs | → |
| W. Br Rocky R B Mth Of S Prong R Nr Cornelius | 5 cfs | → |
| Mcdowell Creek Nr Charlotte | 1 cfs | → |
| Coddle Cr At Sr 1612 Near Davidson | 21 cfs | → |
| Indian Creek Near Laboratory | 70 cfs | → |
| Henry Fork Near Henry River | 39 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Comm Scope Dam.
Boat launches
- Burton Lane 4906, Denver
- Seipel Drive 8335, Denver
- Shipley Lane Lincoln County
- Nc 73 Mecklenburg County
- Neck Road 5744, Huntersville
- Riverbend Boat Ramp
Fishing spots
Track Comm Scope 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 Comm Scope Dam
Where does the data for Comm Scope 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 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 Comm Scope Dam.