Frischholz Dam dam
Frischholz Dam
Frischholz Dam, also known as Downs Dam, is a private structure located in Swain County, North Carolina, along the Grassy Branch (B) river. This Earth-type dam primarily serves as a recreational area for water enthusiasts, offering a serene environment for activities such as fishing, boating, and picnicking. With a hydraulic height of 14 feet and a structural height of 18.5 feet, the dam provides a surface area of 0.7 acres and a storage capacity of 5 acre-feet.
Although the dam's primary purpose is recreation, it also plays a crucial role in water resource management for the local community. The dam is regulated by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources Dam Safety Program. However, with a hazard potential rated as high and a poor condition assessment, there are concerns about the dam's safety and the potential risks it poses. The last inspection in 2016 revealed the need for improvements to ensure the dam's structural integrity and safety for both recreational users and the surrounding area.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is important to monitor the condition of Frischholz Dam and advocate for necessary repairs and maintenance to reduce the hazard potential and ensure the safety of the surrounding community. By staying informed about the dam's status, supporting regulatory agencies in their enforcement efforts, and promoting responsible water management practices, we can help preserve this valuable recreational resource while safeguarding against potential risks associated with dam failure.
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 Frischholz Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tuckasegee River At Bryson City | 667 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee River At Needmore | 463 cfs | → |
| Oconaluftee River At Birdtown | 215 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Barker's Creek | 290 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee R At Franklin | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Cartoogechaye Creek Near Franklin | 261 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Frischholz Dam.
Boat launches
- Church Street Jackson County
- Cable Cove Road, Fontana Dam
- Cable Cove Road Graham County
- Great Smoky Mountains Expressway 5453, Jackson County
- Fontana Road 12574, Robbinsville
- Highway 28, Fontana Dam
Campgrounds
- #66 Lower Noland Creek
- Turkey Creek Campground
- #67 Goldmine Branch
- Tsali Campground
- Tsali
- Tsali Recreation Area
Fishing spots
- Augerhole Branch
- Birchfield Branch
- Massey Branch Fishing Pier
- Santeetlah Lake
- Bear Creek Lake
- Hickory Nut Cove Trout Farm
Paddle runs
- Natahala Powerhouse To Lake Fontana (River Mile 4)
- Headwaters In Standing Indian Basin To Slackwater Of Natahala Lake
- Polecat Branch To Snowbird Picnic Area
- Owlcamp Branch To Polecat Branch
- Headwaters Near Mitchell Lick To Owlcamp Branch
- Headwaters Near Graham County Line To Nc/Tn State Line
Track Frischholz 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 Frischholz Dam
Where does the data for Frischholz 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 Frischholz Dam.