Emerald Lake Golf Course Dam dam
Emerald Lake Golf Course Dam
Emerald Lake Golf Course Dam, also known as Mitchells Dam, is a privately owned structure located in Union County, North Carolina. Completed in 1968, this earth dam stands at a structural height of 17 feet with a hydraulic height of 12 feet. The dam serves primarily for recreation purposes, with a normal storage capacity of 42 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 50 acre-feet. Situated on Paddle Branch, the dam covers a surface area of 5 acres and has a drainage area of 237 square miles.
Despite its fair condition assessment as of December 2020, the dam poses a high hazard potential. The last inspection took place in December 2020, with inspections scheduled every two years. As a state-regulated structure, the dam falls under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program. With a maximum discharge capacity of 158 cubic feet per second, the dam's risk management measures and emergency action plan status remain unspecified. The dam's location in the Wilmington District underscores its importance for water resource management in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Emerald Lake Golf Course Dam presents an intriguing case study in dam safety and recreational water management. With its history dating back to the late 1960s, the dam's presence along Paddle Branch contributes to the local landscape and ecosystem. Understanding the complexities of dam design, regulation, and maintenance is crucial for ensuring the safety of such structures and the surrounding communities. As efforts continue to monitor and manage the dam's condition, ongoing research and engagement are essential for sustainable water resource practices in Union County and beyond.
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 Emerald Lake Golf Course Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Goose Creek At Sr1525 Nr Indian Trail | 1 cfs | → |
| Goose Cr At Fairview | 14 cfs | → |
| Irvins Creek At Sr3168 Nr Charlotte | 0 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek At Sr3181 Nr Mint Hill | 2 cfs | → |
| Mcalpine Creek At Sr3150 Nr Idlewild | 0 cfs | → |
| Campbell Creek Nr Charlotte | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Emerald Lake Golf Course Dam.
Boat launches
- Catawba Nation Greenway Trail York County
- Waterford Trail Rock Hill
- Piedmont Medical Center Trail York County
- Soldier Road 15299, Mecklenburg County
- Copperhead Island Mecklenburg County
- Wilkinson Boulevard Belmont
Campgrounds
- Williams Farm
- Sign Language
- Cane Creek Park
- Mcdowell Nature Preserve
- Andrew Jackson State Park
- Ebenezer County Park
Fishing spots
- Buck Branch
- Mountain Island Park Fishing Access
- Arrowhead Lake
- Badin Lake Lakemont Rd
- Abbotts Creek
- Blewett Falls Lake Grassy Island
Track Emerald Lake Golf Course 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 Emerald Lake Golf Course Dam
Where does the data for Emerald Lake Golf Course 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 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 Emerald Lake Golf Course Dam.