Johnson Dam dam
Johnson Dam
Johnson Dam, located in Bethel, North Carolina, is a private earth dam on Harley Branch with a primary purpose of fire protection, stock, or small fish pond. The dam has a hydraulic height of 20.4 feet and a structural height of 23.7 feet, with a storage capacity of 5 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and the Dam Safety Program, and it is inspected regularly to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations.
Despite its fair condition assessment and significant hazard potential, Johnson Dam plays a crucial role in providing water resources for fire protection and agricultural purposes in the area. The dam's location in Haywood County, North Carolina, ensures that it serves as a vital water source for the local community. Its presence also contributes to the overall sustainability and resilience of the region's water infrastructure, especially in times of increased demand or climate variability.
With its strategic position and operational significance, Johnson Dam stands as a testament to the importance of maintaining and managing water resources effectively in the face of climate change and increasing water demands. As a private dam regulated by state authorities, Johnson Dam represents a key component of the water management system in North Carolina, highlighting the critical role that dams play in ensuring water security and resource availability for both present and future generations.
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 Johnson Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Fork Pigeon River Near Canton | 590 cfs | → |
| W Fk Pigeon R At Bethel | 446 cfs | → |
| Pigeon River Near Canton | 613 cfs | → |
| West Fork Pigeon River Near Retreat | 36 cfs | → |
| W F Pigeon R Above Lake Logan Nr Hazelwood | 341 cfs | → |
| Mills River Near Mills River | 451 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Johnson Dam.
Boat launches
- North Lakeshore Drive 103, Haywood County
- Pisgah Forest Access Brevard
- Hooper Lane Mills River
- Canada Road 14091, Tuckasegee
- Redmon Road Madison County
Campgrounds
- Mount Pisgah - Blue Ridge Parkway
- Mount Pisgah Campground
- Mt Pisgah
- Camp Daniel Boone, Bsa
- Wf-3
- Sunburst Campground
Fishing spots
- Bear Creek Lake
- Asheville Recreation Park Lake
- Bailey Branch
- Anderson Branch
- Big Pine Creek
- Allen Branch Pond
Paddle runs
- East Fork From Us Highway 276 To Confluence Of Dark Prong And Yellowstone Prong
- Dark Prong From Headwaters To Confluence East Fork And Yellowstone Prong
- Yellowstone Prong From Headwaters To Confluence With East Fork And Yellowstone Prong
- South Fork From Confluence With Pigeon Br To Nf Boundary
- North Fork From Bottom Of Spillway Of Hendersonville Reservoir To Confluence With South Fork
- Nf Boundary To Confluence With North Fork
More reservoirs
Track Johnson 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 Johnson Dam
Where does the data for Johnson 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 Johnson Dam.