Freedom Escape Dam dam
Freedom Escape Dam
Freedom Escape Dam, also known as Cooper Dam, is a privately owned structure located in the Flat Creek-Trib stream in the Flat Creek Community of Buncombe, North Carolina. This dam primarily serves the purpose of recreation, providing a tranquil escape for water resource and climate enthusiasts. With a hydraulic height of 25.9 feet and a structural height of 31.3 feet, this earth dam offers a surface area of 2 acres and a drainage area of 7 acres, making it an ideal spot for outdoor activities and water-related adventures.
Despite its recreational significance, Freedom Escape Dam poses a significant hazard potential, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and maintenance. The last inspection took place in March 2013, with the condition assessment reported as satisfactory. While the dam currently meets guidelines, there is no Emergency Action Plan (EAP) prepared or updated, raising concerns about emergency preparedness and risk management measures in case of unforeseen events.
As a notable feature within the Wilmington District, this dam stands as a reminder of the delicate balance between human enjoyment of water resources and the need for proper regulation and safety measures. Its picturesque location and potential for outdoor recreation make it a valuable asset for the community, but stakeholders must prioritize ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety of both the dam and those who visit it.
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 Freedom Escape Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ivy River Near Marshall | 47 cfs | → |
| Beetree Creek Near Swannanoa | 2 cfs | → |
| French Broad River At Marshall | 649 cfs | → |
| French Broad River At Asheville | 553 cfs | → |
| North Fork Swannanoa River Near Walkertown | 7 cfs | → |
| Swannanoa River At Biltmore | 23 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Freedom Escape Dam.
Boat launches
- Redmon Road Madison County
- Mitchell County
- Hooper Lane Mills River
- Memorial Highway 2693, Lake Lure
- Houseboat Lane 299, Mcdowell County
- North Lakeshore Drive 103, Haywood County
Campgrounds
- Windy Gap - A Young Life Camp
- Campfire Lodgings
- Evan's Island Campsite
- Mount Mitchell State Park
- Camp Alice
- Bpw
Fishing spots
- Bailey Branch
- Asheville Recreation Park Lake
- Anderson Branch
- Big Pine Creek
- Dillard Place
- Nolichucky River
Paddle runs
- Boundary Between Mitchell And Yancy Counties To Nc/Tn Stateline
- Tn/Nc State Line (Rm 100.6) To Mine Branch (Rm 99.3)
- Mills River From Confluence Of North/South Forks To Confluence With Foster Creek
- North Fork From Bottom Of Spillway Of Hendersonville Reservoir To Confluence With South Fork
- Nf Boundary To Confluence With North Fork
- South Fork From Confluence With Pigeon Br To Nf Boundary
Track Freedom Escape 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 Freedom Escape Dam
Where does the data for Freedom Escape 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 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 Freedom Escape Dam.