Challis Lake Dam dam
Challis Lake Dam
Challis Lake Dam, located in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, is a private dam primarily used for recreation purposes. Completed in 1950, this earth dam stands at a structural height of 30 feet and has a hydraulic height of 26 feet. With a maximum storage capacity of 175 acre-feet and a normal storage of 146 acre-feet, the dam spans 465 feet in length and covers a surface area of 16.6 acres.
Managed by the North Carolina Dam Safety Program, Challis Lake Dam is state-regulated and undergoes regular inspections, with the last assessment conducted in October 2019 yielding a fair condition assessment and a low hazard potential. The dam is situated on Mcalpine Creek-Tr and falls under the jurisdiction of the NC Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources. With its picturesque setting in Charlotte, this dam offers a serene recreational space for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy.
Overall, Challis Lake Dam serves as a vital water resource for the community, providing not only recreational opportunities but also ensuring the safety and regulation of its operations. As a well-maintained structure with a low hazard potential, this dam exemplifies the importance of proper management and oversight in maintaining the integrity and functionality of water infrastructure. For those interested in water resource management and climate-related initiatives, Challis Lake Dam stands as a noteworthy example of responsible dam operation 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 Challis Lake 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 Challis Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Piedmont Medical Center Trail York County
- New Gray Rock Road Tega Cay
- Soldier Road 15299, Mecklenburg County
- Copperhead Island Mecklenburg County
- Waterford Trail Rock Hill
- Windward Drive Tega Cay
Campgrounds
- Sign Language
- Mcdowell Nature Preserve
- Ebenezer County Park
- Andrew Jackson State Park
- Cane Creek Park
- Williams Farm
Fishing spots
- Mountain Island Park Fishing Access
- Buck Branch
- Arrowhead Lake
- Abbotts Creek
- Badin Lake Lakemont Rd
- Buddle Branch
Track Challis Lake 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 Challis Lake Dam
Where does the data for Challis Lake 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 Challis Lake Dam.