Brooks Lake Dam dam
Brooks Lake Dam
Brooks Lake Dam, located in Rutherfordton, North Carolina, is a privately owned earth dam that was completed in 1950 for the primary purpose of recreation. Standing at a structural height of 32 feet with a hydraulic height of 28 feet, the dam serves to provide a maximum storage capacity of 200 acre-feet of water, with a normal storage level of 135 acre-feet. The dam overlooks Mountain Creek and covers a surface area of 16 acres, offering a picturesque setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy.
Despite its scenic beauty and recreational value, Brooks Lake Dam poses a high hazard potential due to its poor condition assessment. The dam's last inspection in January 2021 revealed the need for significant maintenance and repairs to ensure its continued safety and functionality. With a frequency of inspections set at every 2 years, the dam is closely monitored by the North Carolina Dam Safety Program to address any potential risks and protect surrounding communities in the event of an emergency. As such, there is a pressing need for comprehensive risk management measures and improvements to enhance the dam's resilience.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts visit Brooks Lake Dam for recreational activities, it is essential for them to be aware of the potential hazards associated with the dam and the importance of adhering to safety guidelines. With a high hazard potential and a history of poor condition assessment, it is crucial for visitors to exercise caution and stay informed about emergency preparedness measures in case of a dam failure. By promoting awareness and vigilance, the community can work towards safeguarding this valuable water resource and ensuring the safety of all who enjoy its scenic beauty.
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 Brooks Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cove Creek Near Lake Lure | 34 cfs | → |
| Second Broad River Nr Logan | 30 cfs | → |
| Catawba R Nr Pleasant Gardens | 50 cfs | → |
| First Broad River Near Casar | 19 cfs | → |
| North Pacolet River At Fingerville | 50 cfs | → |
| Pacolet River Near Fingerville | 75 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Brooks Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Memorial Highway 2693, Lake Lure
- Houseboat Lane 299, Mcdowell County
- Hidden Cove Boat Ramp Mcdowell County
- Canal Bridge Boat Ramp Burke County
- Anchor Park
- Linville Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- River Creek Camp Ground
- Vein Mountain Gold Camp & Carolina Emerald Mine
- Lucky Strike Campground
- Catawba Falls Campground, Llc
- Mad Mama's River Run Campground
- Creekside Mountain Camping
Fishing spots
- Asheville Recreation Park Lake
- Bailey Branch
- Anderson Branch
- Nolichucky River
- Big Pine Creek
- Benfield Creek
Paddle runs
- Linville Wilderness Boundary To Lake James
- Linville Gorge Wilderness Boundary To Southern End Of Wilderness
- 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
- Blue Ridge Parkway Boundary To Linville Gorge Boundary
Track Brooks Lake 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 Brooks Lake Dam
Where does the data for Brooks Lake 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 Brooks Lake Dam.