Yadkin Falls dam
Yadkin Falls
Yadkin Falls, also known as Falls Lake, is a captivating site located in Montgomery, North Carolina, along the scenic Yadkin River. This private hydroelectric dam, completed in 1919, stands at an impressive height of 120 feet and boasts a gravity design with a multi-arch core and rock foundation. With a storage capacity of 2,875 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 415,000 cubic feet per second, Yadkin Falls not only serves as a vital source of hydroelectric power but also offers recreational opportunities for visitors.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Yadkin Falls is inspected regularly to ensure its structural integrity and operational efficiency. The dam features a controlled spillway with a width of 394 feet and is equipped with various outlet gates, including slide gates, tainter gates, and vertical lift gates. While the hazard potential of the dam is classified as high, the risk assessment indicates a very high level of risk, emphasizing the importance of effective risk management measures to safeguard the surrounding community in the event of an emergency.
As a key player in water resource management and climate resilience, Yadkin Falls exemplifies the intersection of environmental stewardship and energy production. With its rich history, impressive engineering, and strategic location in the Wilmington District, this hydroelectric facility continues to play a crucial role in meeting the region's power needs while balancing the demands of recreation and safety. As enthusiasts of water resources and climate adaptation, Yadkin Falls offers a fascinating case study in sustainable infrastructure development and risk mitigation strategies.
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 Yadkin Falls -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little River Near Star | 5 cfs | → |
| Rocky River Near Norwood | 117 cfs | → |
| Rocky R Ab Irish Buffalo Cr Nr Rocky River | 45 cfs | → |
| Rocky River Nr Stanfield | 173 cfs | → |
| Abbotts Creek At Lexington | 32 cfs | → |
| Goose Cr At Fairview | 14 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Yadkin Falls .
Boat launches
- Falls Road Stanly County
- Morrow Mountain Boat Launch
- Badin Lake Boat Ramp
- Cove Boat Ramp
- Old Whitney Boat Ramp
- Marina Drive 298, Montgomery County
Campgrounds
- Deep Water Trailt Horse Camp
- Art Lilley Campground
- Morrow Mountain State Park
- Arrowhead Campground
- Arrowhead
- Badin Lake Capmground Upper Loop
Fishing spots
- Badin Lake Lakemont Rd
- Abbotts Creek
- Buddle Branch
- Arrowhead Lake
- Blewett Falls Lake Grassy Island
- Big Branch
Track Yadkin Falls 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 Yadkin Falls
Where does the data for Yadkin Falls 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 Yadkin Falls .