Rink Lake Dam dam
Rink Lake Dam
Rink Lake Dam, located in Falls, North Carolina, is a significant hydroelectric structure built in 1917 on the Little River. With a structural height of 48 feet and a hydraulic height of 41 feet, this arch dam stands as a key component in managing the water resources of the region. The dam boasts a storage capacity of 2,129 acre-feet, serving not only for electricity generation but also for flood control and water supply purposes.
Maintained and regulated by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program, Rink Lake Dam has been deemed to have a high hazard potential, yet its condition assessment remains fair. The dam's last inspection in January 2020 revealed its operational readiness and safety protocols, with an inspection frequency of twice per year. With its impressive history and ongoing monitoring, Rink Lake Dam symbolizes the intersection of water resource management and climate adaptation in the region.
As an integral part of the water infrastructure in Alexander County, Rink Lake Dam plays a crucial role in harnessing the natural resources of the area while ensuring the safety and well-being of nearby communities. With its strategic location on the Little River and its capacity to store over 2,000 acre-feet of water, the dam stands as a symbol of human ingenuity in managing and utilizing water resources for the benefit of society. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Rink Lake Dam represents a fascinating blend of history, engineering, and environmental stewardship.
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 Rink Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Little River Nr All Healing Springs | 13 cfs | → |
| Henry Fork Near Henry River | 39 cfs | → |
| Elk Creek At Elkville | 41 cfs | → |
| Yadkin River At Patterson | 23 cfs | → |
| Yadkin River At Wilkesboro | 434 cfs | → |
| Jacob Fork At Ramsey | 15 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rink Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Gunpowder Boat Ramp
- Weaver Lane Burke County
- Burton Lane 4906, Denver
- Seipel Drive 8335, Denver
- Shipley Lane Lincoln County
Campgrounds
- Fulda Gap / Cef Dragoons Hq
- Boone Fork Campground
- South Mountains State Park
- Sawtooth Campground
- Little River Campground
- Family Campground, South Mountains State Park
Fishing spots
Track Rink 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 Rink Lake Dam
Where does the data for Rink 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 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 Rink Lake Dam.