Lithco Plant Pond Dam dam
Lithco Plant Pond Dam
Lithco Plant Pond Dam, also known as Storage Area Dam #2, is a privately owned structure located in Gaston, North Carolina. This earth dam sits on Abernathy Creek-Tr and is regulated by the NCDEQ Dam Safety Program. With a hydraulic height of 65 feet and a structural height of 75 feet, this dam serves a critical purpose as a storage area, providing a normal storage capacity of 780 acre-feet and a maximum storage capacity of 936 acre-feet.
The dam, with a length of 820 feet, covers a surface area of 17 acres and drains a watershed area of 815 acres. Its significant hazard potential is offset by a satisfactory condition assessment as of the last inspection in November 2020. While no spillway information is provided, the dam is inspected every two years to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations. The emergency action plan status and risk assessment for this structure are currently unspecified.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts may find the Lithco Plant Pond Dam an intriguing subject of study due to its location, design, and purpose. The dam's role in managing water resources in the region, as well as its potential environmental impact and safety considerations, make it a valuable case study for those interested in the intersection of infrastructure, water management, and climate resilience. Further research into the dam's history, construction, and ongoing management could provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with maintaining critical water infrastructure in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Lithco Plant Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Long Creek Near Bessemer City | 4 cfs | → |
| Indian Creek Near Laboratory | 10 cfs | → |
| South Fork Catawba River At Lowell | 187 cfs | → |
| Paw Cr At Wilkinson Blvd Nr Charlotte | 8 cfs | → |
| Long Creek Nr Rhyne | 14 cfs | → |
| Beaverdam Creek Ab Windy Gap Road Nr Shopton | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lithco Plant Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Lakeshore Drive Cleveland County
- John H. Moss Lake Recreation Park
- First Broad River Trail Shelby
- Wilkinson Boulevard Belmont
- East Charlotte Avenue Downtown
- Copperhead Island Mecklenburg County
Campgrounds
- Hounds Gateway Campground
- Kings Mountain State Park
- John H. Moss Lake City Campground
- Garner Creek
- Garner Creek Backcountry Campsite
- Shelby Mission Camp
Fishing spots
- Mountain Island Park Fishing Access
- Benfield Creek
- Buck Branch
- Pittman Lake
- Johns Creek Lake
- Sedalia Lake
Track Lithco Plant Pond 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 Lithco Plant Pond Dam
Where does the data for Lithco Plant Pond 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 Lithco Plant Pond Dam.