Murrays Mill Pond Dam dam
Murrays Mill Pond Dam
Murrays Mill Pond Dam, located in Catawba, North Carolina, stands as a historic structure with a rich legacy dating back to its completion in 1911. This private arch dam on Ball Creek serves as a vital water resource in the region, providing a normal storage capacity of 235 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 313 acre-feet. With a hydraulic height of 25 feet and a structural height of 28 feet, the dam boasts a length of 250 feet and covers a surface area of 21 acres, all within a drainage area of 4,288 acres.
Managed by the North Carolina Dam Safety Program, Murrays Mill Pond Dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced to ensure its safety and integrity. The dam's hazard potential is classified as low, with a fair condition assessment as of November 2019. While no emergency action plan (EAP) has been reported, the dam undergoes regular inspections every five years to monitor its condition and readiness for any potential risks or emergencies. Overall, Murrays Mill Pond Dam stands as a testament to the importance of responsible dam management in safeguarding water resources and communities against potential hazards.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Murrays Mill Pond Dam presents a fascinating case study in dam engineering and management. Its historical significance, coupled with its impact on the local ecosystem and water supply, highlights the critical role that dams play in shaping landscapes and supporting human activities. As efforts continue to ensure the dam's safety and compliance with regulations, Murrays Mill Pond Dam stands as a symbol of responsible water resource management in North Carolina, serving as a reminder of the importance of balancing water needs with environmental stewardship in a changing climate.
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 Murrays Mill Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Killian Creek Near Mariposa | 44 cfs | → |
| Henry Fork Near Henry River | 39 cfs | → |
| Indian Creek Near Laboratory | 70 cfs | → |
| Lower Little River Nr All Healing Springs | 13 cfs | → |
| Mcdowell Creek Nr Charlotte | 1 cfs | → |
| W. Br Rocky R B Mth Of S Prong R Nr Cornelius | 5 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Murrays Mill Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Burton Lane 4906, Denver
- Seipel Drive 8335, Denver
- Shipley Lane Lincoln County
- Gunpowder Boat Ramp
- Nc 73 Mecklenburg County
- Weaver Lane Burke County
Campgrounds
- Shepherds Field
- Fulda Gap / Cef Dragoons Hq
- South Mountains State Park
- Family Campground, South Mountains State Park
- Little River Campground
- Sawtooth Campground
Fishing spots
Track Murrays Mill 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 Murrays Mill Pond Dam
Where does the data for Murrays Mill 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 Murrays Mill Pond Dam.