Winona Lake Dam dam
Winona Lake Dam
Winona Lake Dam, located in Thorpe Lake, North Carolina, serves as a private recreational facility along Knob Creek. The dam, constructed of earth materials, stands at a structural height of 13 feet, creating a surface area of 4 acres for leisure activities. While its primary purpose is recreation, the dam also holds a significant hazard potential, prompting the need for regular inspections and maintenance.
Although Winona Lake Dam is not state-regulated, it has undergone inspection in the past, with the last assessment dating back to October 1998. Despite being classified as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment, the dam's hazard potential underscores the importance of emergency preparedness and risk management measures. With no designated emergency action plan or updated inundation maps, there is potential for improved safety protocols to enhance the dam's resilience to various climate-related challenges.
As a key feature in the Savannah District managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Winona Lake Dam presents an opportunity for collaboration between private owners and federal agencies to ensure its long-term sustainability. By incorporating modern risk assessment tools and updating emergency protocols, the dam can continue to provide recreational enjoyment while safeguarding against potential environmental risks and climate impacts.
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 Winona Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Nr Cullowhee | 84 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee R At Franklin | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee River Near Prentiss | 140 cfs | → |
| Cartoogechaye Creek Near Franklin | 261 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Barker's Creek | 240 cfs | → |
| French Broad River At Rosman | 54 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Winona Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Canada Road 14091, Tuckasegee
- Great Smoky Mountains Expressway 5453, Jackson County
- Devils Fork Road Oconee County
- White Oak Hill Road Oconee County
- Cabin Road 398, Pickens County
- Church Street Jackson County
Campgrounds
- Ralph Andrews County Park
- Van Hook Glade
- Van Hook Glade Campground
- Blue Valley Camp
- Blue Valley Dispersed Camping
- Burrells Ford
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- 1/4 Mile Below Walhalla Fish Hatchery To Boundary Of Chattooga Wsr
- Ga/Nc State Line To 2 Miles Downriver
- Headwaters To Sloan's Bridge Crossing, Crossing Of Sc 107
- Burrels Ford To Lick Log Branch (Section 1)
- 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
Track Winona Lake 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 Winona Lake Dam
Where does the data for Winona Lake 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 Winona Lake Dam.