Sutton 1971 (1983) Ash Basin Dam dam
Sutton 1971 (1983) Ash Basin Dam
The Sutton 1971 (1983) Ash Basin Dam is a key infrastructure located in Wilmington, North Carolina, designed for hydroelectric purposes on the Cape Fear River. Completed in 1971, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 16.4 feet and a structural height of 19.3 feet, with a length of 6300 feet. It has a storage capacity of 284 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 102.5 acres.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential and being in a satisfactory condition as of the last inspection in September 2019, the dam does not fall under state jurisdiction or regulatory oversight. It is owned by a public utility and undergoes regular inspections, but lacks state permitting and enforcement. The dam plays a vital role in harnessing hydroelectric power for the region and is a significant asset in the local water resource and climate landscape.
Given its strategic location and purpose, the Sutton 1971 (1983) Ash Basin Dam serves as a crucial element in the hydroelectric infrastructure of the area. Its construction in 1971 marked a milestone in providing sustainable energy solutions while also contributing to water resource management in the region. As climate change impacts continue to challenge water availability and energy production, the dam stands as a testament to the importance of resilient infrastructure in adapting to environmental changes.
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 Sutton 1971 (1983) Ash Basin Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Fear R At Lock #1 Nr Kelly | 1,280 cfs | → |
| Waccamaw River At Freeland | 7 cfs | → |
| Black River Near Tomahawk | 69 cfs | → |
| Northeast Cape Fear River Near Chinquapin | 37 cfs | → |
| New River Near Gum Branch | 27 cfs | → |
| Waccamaw River Near Longs | 23 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sutton 1971 (1983) Ash Basin Dam.
Boat launches
- Sutton Lake Road 399, New Hanover County
- West Castle Street, Wilmington
- Castle Hayne Road 6501, Castle Hayne
- Snow's Cut Boating Access
- Shaw Highway 6138, Rocky Point
- Whitestocking Road 525, Burgaw
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Sutton 1971 (1983) Ash Basin 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 Sutton 1971 (1983) Ash Basin Dam
Where does the data for Sutton 1971 (1983) Ash Basin 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 Low 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 Sutton 1971 (1983) Ash Basin Dam.