Howard Hensley Dam dam
Howard Hensley Dam
Howard Hensley Dam, located in Rowan, North Carolina, is a privately owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1983. This earth dam serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, and small fish pond management. The dam has a hydraulic height of 23.6 feet and a structural height of 30.2 feet, with a total length of 315 feet. It boasts a storage capacity of 78.5 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 6.5 acres.
Despite its fair condition assessment, Howard Hensley Dam is classified as having a high hazard potential, making it crucial for regular inspections and maintenance. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, and it features uncontrolled outlet gates. While the risk assessment for the dam is moderate, the dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by various state agencies, including NCDEQ and the Dam Safety Program. The dam's location on Kerr Creek-Tr provides valuable water resources for the region and contributes to the local ecosystem.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Howard Hensley Dam to be a fascinating structure that plays a vital role in managing water resources and supporting wildlife in North Carolina. The dam's design and purpose reflect a commitment to fire protection and sustainable water use. Its association with the USDA NRCS highlights the importance of environmental stewardship in dam construction. As a privately owned dam with state oversight, Howard Hensley Dam serves as a model for responsible water resource management and climate adaptation in the region.
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 Howard Hensley Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Coddle Cr At Sr 1612 Near Davidson | 3 cfs | → |
| W. Br Rocky R B Mth Of S Prong R Nr Cornelius | 3 cfs | → |
| Second Creek Near Barber | 17 cfs | → |
| Clarke Creek Near Harrisburg | 2 cfs | → |
| Mallard Cr Bl Stony Cr Nr Harrisburg | 5 cfs | → |
| South Yadkin River Near Mocksville | 71 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Howard Hensley Dam.
Boat launches
- Seipel Drive 8335, Denver
- Shipley Lane Lincoln County
- Burton Lane 4906, Denver
- Trading Ford Way Davidson County
- Nc 73 Mecklenburg County
- Neck Road 5744, Huntersville
Fishing spots
- Abbotts Creek
- Mountain Island Park Fishing Access
- Buddle Branch
- Badin Lake Lakemont Rd
- Benfield Creek
- Buck Branch
Track Howard Hensley 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 Howard Hensley Dam
Where does the data for Howard Hensley 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 Howard Hensley Dam.