Franklin Dam
Franklin
Franklin Dam, located in Macon, North Carolina, is a captivating structure that harnesses the power of the Little Tennessee River for hydroelectric purposes. Built in 1925, this gravity dam stands at a height of 36 feet and stretches 463 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 500 acre-feet. The dam's spillway, controlled with a width of 252 feet, ensures the safe discharge of up to 68,000 cubic feet per second.
Despite its age, Franklin Dam remains in good condition with a low hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating of 1. The dam is inspected every three years by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, guaranteeing its safe operation and compliance with regulatory standards. This multi-arch dam, built on a rock foundation, serves as a vital piece of infrastructure in the region, providing clean energy and water resource management for the surrounding community.
As a significant landmark in the area, Franklin Dam not only contributes to the generation of hydroelectric power but also plays a crucial role in water resource management. With its impressive structural design and historical significance, Franklin Dam stands as a testament to engineering ingenuity and the sustainable utilization of natural resources in Macon, North Carolina.
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 Franklin -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Tennessee R At Franklin | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Cartoogechaye Creek Near Franklin | 261 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee River Near Prentiss | 159 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee River At Needmore | 498 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Barker's Creek | 345 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Nr Cullowhee | 343 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Franklin .
Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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More reservoirs
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About Franklin
Where does the data for Franklin 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 below 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.
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.