Lithium dam
Lithium
Lithium, Lagoon A is a privately owned earth dam located in Gastonia, North Carolina, along the Long Creek-Tr river. Built in 1960, this dam stands at a structural height of 30 feet and has a hydraulic height of 25 feet. With a storage capacity of 156 acre-feet, it serves multiple purposes beyond water resource management and climate control. The dam covers a surface area of 7 acres and drains an area of 225 acres, making it a significant infrastructure in the region.
Despite being classified as "Significant" in terms of hazard potential, the condition of Lithium, Lagoon A is currently not rated. The last inspection, conducted in May 2019, revealed no specific assessment of its structural integrity. With a maximum discharge capacity of 66 cubic feet per second, this dam plays a crucial role in flood control and water management in the area. Although it is not regulated by the state and has no permitting requirements, ongoing inspections ensure its operational efficiency and public safety.
As an essential component of the water resource infrastructure in Gaston County, North Carolina, Lithium, Lagoon A remains a key asset for local water management and conservation efforts. Its location and design highlight the importance of sustainable dam operations and maintenance practices in safeguarding communities from potential risks associated with water storage and discharge. Despite its age, this dam continues to serve its primary purpose effectively, showcasing the resilience and reliability of such critical infrastructure in the face of evolving climate challenges.
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 Lithium -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Long Creek Near Bessemer City | 4 cfs | → |
| Indian Creek Near Laboratory | 10 cfs | → |
| South Fork Catawba River At Lowell | 187 cfs | → |
| Killian Creek Near Mariposa | 5 cfs | → |
| Long Creek Nr Rhyne | 14 cfs | → |
| Paw Cr At Wilkinson Blvd Nr Charlotte | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lithium.
Boat launches
- Lakeshore Drive Cleveland County
- John H. Moss Lake Recreation Park
- First Broad River Trail Shelby
- East Charlotte Avenue Downtown
- Wilkinson Boulevard Belmont
- Riverbend Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Hounds Gateway Campground
- John H. Moss Lake City Campground
- Kings Mountain State Park
- Shelby Mission Camp
- Garner Creek
- Garner Creek Backcountry Campsite
Fishing spots
Track Lithium 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 Lithium
Where does the data for Lithium 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 Significant 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 Lithium.