White Oak Mtn. Dam #4 dam
White Oak Mtn. Dam #4
White Oak Mtn. Dam #4, located in Polk, North Carolina, is a privately owned earth dam built on Horse Creek for recreational purposes. Standing at a structural height of 20 feet with a hydraulic height of 15.2 feet, this dam has a storage capacity of 22 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 1.7 acres. With a drainage area of 102 square miles, the dam has the potential to discharge up to 159 cubic feet per second.
Despite its high hazard potential, White Oak Mtn. Dam #4 has been assessed as satisfactory in its condition, with the last inspection conducted in March 2020. The dam is regulated and permitted by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program, ensuring that state inspections, enforcement, and permitting are in place to maintain its safety and structural integrity. The dam's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) status and risk management measures are yet to be fully established, highlighting the need for preparedness in case of emergencies related to the dam's operations.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the management and safety of dams, particularly in the context of recreational activities, can find White Oak Mtn. Dam #4 an intriguing case study. The dam's location in Columbus, North Carolina, its association with Horse Creek, and its high hazard potential add layers of complexity to understanding the balance between recreational benefits and the need for stringent regulatory oversight to mitigate risks associated with dam failure. As the dam continues to be monitored and inspected regularly, it serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive maintenance and emergency preparedness in safeguarding water resources and surrounding communities.
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 White Oak Mtn. Dam #4 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cove Creek Near Lake Lure | 33 cfs | → |
| South Pacolet River Nr Campobello | 19 cfs | → |
| Middle Tyger River Near Gramling | 8 cfs | → |
| North Pacolet River At Fingerville | 51 cfs | → |
| Pacolet River Near Fingerville | 81 cfs | → |
| Beaverdam Creek Above Greer | 14 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near White Oak Mtn. Dam #4.
Boat launches
- Memorial Highway 2693, Lake Lure
- Anchor Park
- Hooper Lane Mills River
- J. Verne Smith Park (Lake Robinson)
- Sandy Ford Road 1925, Chesnee
- Pisgah Forest Access Brevard
Campgrounds
- River Creek Camp Ground
- Creekside Mountain Camping
- Pleasant Ridge County Park
- Catawba Falls Campground, Llc
- Vein Mountain Gold Camp & Carolina Emerald Mine
- Lucky Strike Campground
Fishing spots
- Asheville Recreation Park Lake
- Bailey Branch
- Bear Creek Lake
- Anderson Branch
- Big Pine Creek
- Johns Creek Lake
Paddle runs
- Mills River From Confluence Of North/South Forks To Confluence With Foster Creek
- Nf Boundary To Confluence With North Fork
- North Fork From Bottom Of Spillway Of Hendersonville Reservoir To Confluence With South Fork
- South Fork From Confluence With Pigeon Br To Nf Boundary
- 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
Track White Oak Mtn. Dam #4 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 White Oak Mtn. Dam #4
Where does the data for White Oak Mtn. Dam #4 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 White Oak Mtn. Dam #4.