Different Drum Lake dam
Different Drum Lake
Different Drum Lake, located in Watauga, North Carolina, is a privately owned recreational lake managed by the USDA NRCS. The lake, situated in Elizabethton Tn, is fed by Baird Creek and has a structural height of 27.5 feet with a hydraulic height of 22.2 feet. It serves as a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a serene setting for fishing, boating, and other water activities.
With a storage capacity of 22 acre-feet and a surface area of 2 acres, Different Drum Lake is a tranquil oasis nestled in the heart of nature. Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the dam is not currently rated for its condition. However, regular inspections have been conducted, with the last assessment taking place in November 2020. The lake's uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates provide a natural flow for excess water, ensuring the safety of the surrounding area.
As a haven for water resource and climate enthusiasts, Different Drum Lake offers a peaceful retreat for those seeking a connection to the natural world. With its picturesque surroundings and recreational opportunities, this private lake is a gem waiting to be explored by outdoor adventurers looking to immerse themselves in the beauty of North Carolina's landscape.
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 Different Drum Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Watauga River Near Sugar Grove | 38 cfs | → |
| Yadkin River At Patterson | 12 cfs | → |
| Elk Creek At Elkville | 23 cfs | → |
| South Fork New River Near Jefferson | 124 cfs | → |
| Doe River At Elizabethton | 293 cfs | → |
| Johns River At Arneys Store | 72 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Different Drum Lake.
Boat launches
- Price Lake Trail Watauga County
- Roby Green Road Watauga County
- Stuart Williams Road Watauga County
- Big Hill Road Watauga County
- River Road Watauga County
- Castle Ford Road Ashe County
Campgrounds
- Honey Bear Campground
- Old Johns River Road
- Price Park Campground
- Julian Price - Blue Ridge Parkway
- Julian Price
- The Refuge
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Watauga Reservoir To Tn/Nc State Line
- Headwaters Above Linville Gap To Blue Ridge Parkway Boundary
- Headwaters To Tn/Va State Line
- Blue Ridge Parkway Boundary To Linville Gorge Boundary
- Linville Gorge Wilderness Boundary To Southern End Of Wilderness
- Green Cove--Jefferson Nf Near Confluence Of Star Hill Branch To Confluence With Whitetop Laurel
Track Different Drum Lake 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 Different Drum Lake
Where does the data for Different Drum Lake 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 Different Drum Lake.