Sapphire Valley Golf Course Dam dam
Sapphire Valley Golf Course Dam
Sapphire Valley Golf Course Dam, also known as Mud Creek Dam, is a private-owned structure located in Sapphire, North Carolina, within Jackson County. The dam regulates Mud Creek and serves primarily for recreational purposes. With a hydraulic height of 14.4 feet and a structural height of 22 feet, it has a normal storage capacity of 2 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 15 acre-feet. Despite its importance for recreation, the dam has a high hazard potential and a poor condition assessment as of the last inspection in March 2021.
Managed by the NCDEQ Dam Safety Program, the dam is subject to state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. Its location, close to the Nashville District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, presents additional oversight and potential support in case of emergencies. The dam's condition and hazard potential highlight the need for ongoing risk assessment and management measures to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and the integrity of the structure. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, staying informed and engaged with developments related to the Sapphire Valley Golf Course Dam can help promote responsible stewardship of this essential infrastructure.
With its unique position within the picturesque landscape of Sapphire Valley, the dam serves as a vital component of the local ecosystem and recreational activities. As discussions around dam safety and climate change intensify, the future management and maintenance of the Sapphire Valley Golf Course Dam will be crucial in safeguarding both the environment and the community. By understanding the complexities and challenges associated with this structure, water resource and climate enthusiasts can advocate for sustainable practices and policies that prioritize the long-term well-being of this essential water resource.
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 Sapphire Valley Golf Course Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| French Broad River At Rosman | 56 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Nr Cullowhee | 75 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee River Near Prentiss | 138 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee R At Franklin | 1,050 cfs | → |
| W F Pigeon R Above Lake Logan Nr Hazelwood | 20 cfs | → |
| Cartoogechaye Creek Near Franklin | 261 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sapphire Valley Golf Course Dam.
Boat launches
- Canada Road 14091, Tuckasegee
- Devils Fork Road Oconee County
- White Oak Hill Road Oconee County
- Cabin Road 398, Pickens County
- Landing Road Oconee County
- Fall Creek Landing
Campgrounds
- Bearcamp Creek Campsite
- Wintergreen Campsite
- Indian Camp Campsite
- Buck Fields
- Bear Creek Campsite
- Heath Pine Ridge Campsite
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Sloan's Bridge Crossing, Crossing Of Sc 107
- 1/4 Mile Above The Walhalla Fish Hatchery To 1/4 Mile Below The Walhalla Fish Hatchery
- Sloan's Bridge Crossing To 1/4 Mile Above The Walhalla Fish Hatchery
- 1/4 Mile Below Walhalla Fish Hatchery To Boundary Of Chattooga Wsr
- Burrels Ford To Lick Log Branch (Section 1)
- Beginning Just Upstream Of Townes Creek,Wash Branch And Crane Creek To Confluence With Kings Creek
Track Sapphire Valley Golf Course 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 Sapphire Valley Golf Course Dam
Where does the data for Sapphire Valley Golf Course 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 High 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 Sapphire Valley Golf Course Dam.