Rowland Lake Dam Lower dam
Rowland Lake Dam Lower
Rowland Lake Dam Lower, also known as Ray Durham Lower Dam, is a private-owned structure located in Gaston, North Carolina, specifically in the city of Spencer Mountain. The dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a surface area of 6 acres and a storage capacity of 70 acre-feet. It is situated along the South Fork River, with a hydraulic height of 20 feet and a structural height of 26 feet. The dam has a low hazard potential and was last inspected in October 2018, with a condition assessment of "Not Rated".
Despite not being state-regulated, Rowland Lake Dam Lower plays a key role in providing recreational opportunities for the local community and visitors. The dam's earth construction type and its strategic location along the river contribute to its importance in water resource management and climate adaptation efforts in the region. With a history that dates back to an unspecified completion year, the dam continues to serve its purpose effectively, offering a safe and enjoyable environment for recreational activities.
Rowland Lake Dam Lower's presence adds to the natural beauty of the area, enhancing the landscape and providing a habitat for various wildlife species. Its low hazard potential and maintenance history indicate a commitment to safety and sustainability, ensuring that the dam remains a valuable asset for water resource management and climate resilience in the region. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, this dam represents a harmonious balance between human recreation and environmental conservation, showcasing the interconnectedness of man-made structures and natural ecosystems.
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 Rowland Lake Dam Lower -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Catawba River At Lowell | 187 cfs | → |
| Long Creek Near Bessemer City | 4 cfs | → |
| Killian Creek Near Mariposa | 9 cfs | → |
| Long Creek Nr Rhyne | 10 cfs | → |
| Indian Creek Near Laboratory | 13 cfs | → |
| Paw Cr At Wilkinson Blvd Nr Charlotte | 7 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rowland Lake Dam Lower.
Boat launches
- East Charlotte Avenue Downtown
- Riverbend Boat Ramp
- Wilkinson Boulevard Belmont
- Neck Road 5744, Huntersville
- Nc 73 Mecklenburg County
- Shipley Lane Lincoln County
Campgrounds
- Hounds Gateway Campground
- Mcdowell Nature Preserve
- Kings Mountain State Park
- John H. Moss Lake City Campground
- Garner Creek
- Garner Creek Backcountry Campsite
Fishing spots
Track Rowland Lake Dam Lower 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 Rowland Lake Dam Lower
Where does the data for Rowland Lake Dam Lower 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 Rowland Lake Dam Lower.