Third Creek Dam #21 dam
Third Creek Dam #21
Third Creek Dam #21, located in Iredell, North Carolina, is a private earth dam constructed in 1954 by the USDA NRCS for flood risk reduction on the I-L Creek-Trib. With a structural height of 40.5 feet and a hydraulic height of 13 feet, this dam spans 547 feet in length and has a storage capacity of 531 acre-feet. Despite its fair condition assessment in 2020, the dam is classified as having a high hazard potential, signaling the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure public safety.
Managed by the NCDEQ Dam Safety Program, Third Creek Dam #21 is subject to state regulation, permitting, and inspection to uphold its structural integrity. In case of emergencies, the dam has uncontrolled spillways and outlet gates, with an established inspection frequency of every two years. The dam's risk assessment is moderate, indicating a level 3 on the risk scale, which underscores the importance of implementing risk management measures to mitigate potential hazards and protect the surrounding community.
As a vital infrastructure for flood risk reduction in the region, Third Creek Dam #21 serves as a crucial component of water resource management in North Carolina. With its construction overseen by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and its operation falling under private ownership, the dam plays a pivotal role in safeguarding downstream areas from potential flooding events. Despite its age, the dam continues to fulfill its primary purpose effectively, highlighting the importance of proactive maintenance and regulatory oversight to ensure its long-term functionality and resilience in the face of changing climatic conditions.
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 Third Creek Dam #21 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Yadkin River Near Mocksville | 74 cfs | → |
| Second Creek Near Barber | 17 cfs | → |
| Coddle Cr At Sr 1612 Near Davidson | 3 cfs | → |
| W. Br Rocky R B Mth Of S Prong R Nr Cornelius | 3 cfs | → |
| Killian Creek Near Mariposa | 9 cfs | → |
| Hunting Creek Near Harmony | 50 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Third Creek Dam #21.
Boat launches
- Burton Lane 4906, Denver
- Seipel Drive 8335, Denver
- Shipley Lane Lincoln County
- Nc 73 Mecklenburg County
- Nc Highway 801 South 5877, Mocksville
- Neck Road 5744, Huntersville
Fishing spots
Track Third Creek Dam #21 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 Third Creek Dam #21
Where does the data for Third Creek Dam #21 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 Third Creek Dam #21.