Gebel Lake Dam dam
Gebel Lake Dam
Gebel Lake Dam, located in Cleveland, North Carolina, is a private-owned structure with a primary purpose of recreation. Designed by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 26 feet and a structural height of 31 feet, with a length of 200 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 18 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 10 acre-feet and a surface area of 1.5 acres.
Despite being categorized as having a low hazard potential, the dam's risk assessment is moderate. The last inspection in October 2016 deemed its condition to be not rated, with no emergency action plan in place. With an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, the dam has a maximum discharge capacity of 325 cubic feet per second. While it has not been modified since its completion, the dam's associated structures number zero, and it is not regulated by the state.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Gebel Lake Dam offers a unique case study in private ownership and recreational usage within the context of dam infrastructure. Its moderate risk assessment and lack of regulatory oversight raise questions about the importance of proper maintenance and emergency preparedness for privately-owned dams. As climate change continues to impact water resources, understanding the condition and management of structures like Gebel Lake Dam becomes increasingly crucial for ensuring the safety and sustainability of our water infrastructure.
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 Gebel Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Broad River Near Boiling Springs | 392 cfs | → |
| Broad River Near Blacksburg | 338 cfs | → |
| First Broad River Near Casar | 19 cfs | → |
| Broad River Near Gaffney | 1,890 cfs | → |
| Indian Creek Near Laboratory | 13 cfs | → |
| Long Creek Near Bessemer City | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gebel Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- First Broad River Trail Shelby
- John H. Moss Lake Recreation Park
- Lakeshore Drive Cleveland County
- Sandy Ford Road 1925, Chesnee
- East Charlotte Avenue Downtown
- Wilkinson Boulevard Belmont
Campgrounds
- Shelby Mission Camp
- John H. Moss Lake City Campground
- Hounds Gateway Campground
- Garner Creek Backcountry Campsite
- Garner Creek
- Kings Mountain State Park
Fishing spots
- Mountain Island Park Fishing Access
- Benfield Creek
- Johns Creek Lake
- Sedalia Lake
- Macedonia Lake
- Pittman Lake
Track Gebel 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 Gebel Lake Dam
Where does the data for Gebel 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 Gebel Lake Dam.