Moya-Mendez Dam Lower dam
Moya-Mendez Dam Lower
Moya-Mendez Dam Lower, located in Mecklenburg, North Carolina, is a private-owned structure primarily used for recreation. With a hydraulic height of 14.5 feet and a structural height of 16 feet, the dam serves as a significant water resource on Irwin Creek-Tr. Despite not being state-regulated, the dam has undergone inspections and is deemed to be in fair condition as of November 2018.
The dam boasts a storage capacity of 18 acre-feet and a hazard potential classified as significant. While the structure has not been modified in recent years and lacks specific details on dimensions like dam length or volume, its role in providing recreational opportunities in the area cannot be overstated. The dam's emergency action plan status, risk assessment, and management measures remain unspecified, indicating potential areas for improvement in terms of preparedness and safety measures.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts may find Moya-Mendez Dam Lower to be an intriguing case study in private dam ownership, with its focus on recreation and its location in a region prone to significant hazard potential. The structure's fair condition and lack of recent modifications raise questions about its long-term sustainability and resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions. As a key feature on Irwin Creek-Tr, the dam serves as both a source of leisure and a potential area for further study on dam safety and management practices in North Carolina.
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 Moya-Mendez Dam Lower -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Irwin Cr At Statesville Ave At Charlotte | 1 cfs | → |
| Briar Creek Near Charlotte | 1 cfs | → |
| Stewart Creek At State St At Charlotte | 13 cfs | → |
| Stewart Creek At West Morehead St At Charlotte | 12 cfs | → |
| Ltl Sugar Cr At Medical Center Dr At Charlotte | 4 cfs | → |
| Mallard Cr Bl Stony Cr Nr Harrisburg | 5 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Moya-Mendez Dam Lower.
Boat launches
- Neck Road 5744, Huntersville
- Riverbend Boat Ramp
- East Charlotte Avenue Downtown
- Wilkinson Boulevard Belmont
- Nc 73 Mecklenburg County
- Shipley Lane Lincoln County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Mountain Island Park Fishing Access
- Buck Branch
- Abbotts Creek
- Badin Lake Lakemont Rd
- Buddle Branch
- Benfield Creek
Track Moya-Mendez Dam Lower 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 Moya-Mendez Dam Lower
Where does the data for Moya-Mendez Dam Lower 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 Moya-Mendez Dam Lower.