Capitola Dam dam
Capitola Dam
Capitola Dam, located in Marshall, North Carolina, is a state-regulated structure along the French Broad River with a high hazard potential. While specific details about the dam's design and purpose are not provided, it is known that it serves a primary purpose categorized as "Other." The dam falls under the jurisdiction of multiple state agencies, including the NC Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program, which oversees permitting, inspection, and enforcement.
Despite lacking specific information on its height, volume, or storage capacity, Capitola Dam's high hazard potential underscores the critical need for regular inspections and emergency preparedness. The dam's condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Rated," indicating a potential need for further evaluation to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam is also subject to an inspection frequency of every two years, highlighting ongoing efforts to monitor and manage potential risks associated with its operation.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Capitola Dam presents an intriguing case study in dam safety and regulation. With its location along the French Broad River and the high hazard potential associated with it, the dam serves as a reminder of the importance of robust oversight and maintenance practices to prevent potential hazards and ensure the safety of surrounding communities. As efforts continue to assess and manage the risks associated with Capitola Dam, its story serves as a valuable example of the complexities involved in managing and safeguarding water resources in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Capitola Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| French Broad River At Marshall | 743 cfs | → |
| Ivy River Near Marshall | 51 cfs | → |
| French Broad River At Hot Springs | 707 cfs | → |
| French Broad River At Asheville | 631 cfs | → |
| Swannanoa River At Biltmore | 29 cfs | → |
| Beetree Creek Near Swannanoa | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Capitola Dam.
Boat launches
- Skullcrack Trail Weber County
- County Road 1980 Morgan County
- South 7500 West Weber County
- South 7500 West Hooper
Campgrounds
- Evan's Island Campsite
- Big Pine Campsite
- Silvermine Group Campground
- Rocky Bluff
- Rocky Bluff Campground
- Windy Gap - A Young Life Camp
Fishing spots
- South Fork Ogden River
- Chalk Creek
- Tony Grove Lake
- Mill Canyon Fishing Dock And Boardwalk
- Lake Desolation
- White Pine Lake
Paddle runs
- Frost Canyon/Bear Canyon Confluence To Causey Reservoir
- Peterson To Eggs
- Round Valley
- Ogden Narrows
- Scrambled Eggs Bend
- Henefer To Taggert
More reservoirs
Track Capitola 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 Capitola Dam
Where does the data for Capitola 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 Capitola Dam.