Paddy Creek Chute Spillway dam
Paddy Creek Chute Spillway
Located in Burke County, North Carolina, the Paddy Creek Chute Spillway is a vital structure associated with the Linville River. Built in 1919, this concrete dam stands at a height of 0.5 feet and has a length of 150 feet. The primary purpose of this hydroelectric facility is to generate power, with a normal storage capacity of 288,800 acre-feet and a maximum discharge rate of 92,866 cubic feet per second.
Despite its age, the Paddy Creek Chute Spillway is inspected regularly by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to ensure its operational safety. Classified as having a high hazard potential, this structure has a moderate risk assessment rating. Emergency action plans have been prepared and updated, with a last revision date in December 2020. While the condition assessment is currently listed as not available, the spillway's importance for water resource management and climate adaptation in the region cannot be understated.
In the event of a breach or emergency, the Paddy Creek Chute Spillway plays a critical role in managing floodwaters and protecting downstream communities. With a capacity to release excess water through its uncontrolled spillway, this structure serves as a key component of the region's infrastructure for water resource management. As climate change impacts continue to pose challenges, the maintenance and monitoring of facilities like the Paddy Creek Chute Spillway become increasingly important for ensuring the resilience of water systems in North Carolina.
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 Paddy Creek Chute Spillway -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Linville River Near Nebo | 95 cfs | → |
| Johns River At Arneys Store | 153 cfs | → |
| Catawba R Nr Pleasant Gardens | 118 cfs | → |
| Jacob Fork At Ramsey | 15 cfs | → |
| First Broad River Near Casar | 34 cfs | → |
| South Toe River Near Celo | 81 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Paddy Creek Chute Spillway .
Boat launches
- Canal Bridge Boat Ramp Burke County
- Hidden Cove Boat Ramp Mcdowell County
- Linville Boat Ramp
- Houseboat Lane 299, Mcdowell County
- Weaver Lane Burke County
- Gunpowder Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Lake James State Park
- Paddy Creek Campground
- Horseshoe Bend Family Campground
- Steele Creek Park & Family Campground
- Daniel Boone Family Campground
- Mad Mama's River Run Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Linville Wilderness Boundary To Lake James
- Linville Gorge Wilderness Boundary To Southern End Of Wilderness
- Blue Ridge Parkway Boundary To Linville Gorge Boundary
- Headwaters Above Linville Gap To Blue Ridge Parkway Boundary
- Watauga Reservoir To Tn/Nc State Line
- Boundary Between Mitchell And Yancy Counties To Nc/Tn Stateline
Track Paddy Creek Chute Spillway 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 Paddy Creek Chute Spillway
Where does the data for Paddy Creek Chute Spillway 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 Paddy Creek Chute Spillway .