Toxaway Dam Lower dam
Toxaway Dam Lower
Toxaway Dam Lower, located on the Toxaway River in Transylvania, North Carolina, is a privately owned earth dam primarily used for recreation purposes. Completed in 1961, this dam stands at a structural height of 60 feet with a hydraulic height of 48 feet, creating a reservoir with a normal storage capacity of 15,680 acre-feet and a total storage capacity of 21,500 acre-feet. The dam covers a surface area of 553 acres and drains an area of 4,800 acres.
With a high hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Toxaway Dam Lower is regulated and inspected by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program. This dam has a designated emergency action plan, updated in July 2019, to ensure the safety of surrounding communities in the event of a dam failure. Although the dam is not owned or funded by federal agencies, it is subject to state regulations and enforcement, highlighting the importance of proper maintenance and monitoring to mitigate potential risks.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Toxaway Dam Lower serves as a valuable case study in dam management and safety. Its role in providing recreational opportunities while also posing potential hazards underscores the need for robust regulatory oversight and emergency preparedness. As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure resilience, understanding the complexities of dams like Toxaway Dam Lower is crucial for sustainable water management practices and community safety.
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 Toxaway Dam Lower -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| French Broad River At Rosman | 58 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Nr Cullowhee | 75 cfs | → |
| Davidson River Near Brevard | 34 cfs | → |
| South Saluda River Near Cleveland | 29 cfs | → |
| W F Pigeon R Above Lake Logan Nr Hazelwood | 21 cfs | → |
| West Fork Pigeon River Near Retreat | 36 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Toxaway Dam Lower.
Boat launches
- Canada Road 14091, Tuckasegee
- Devils Fork Road Oconee County
- White Oak Hill Road Oconee County
- Cabin Road 398, Pickens County
- Landing Road Oconee County
- Fall Creek Landing
Campgrounds
- Wintergreen Campsite
- Indian Camp Campsite
- Heath Pine Ridge Campsite
- Buck Fields
- Toxaway Creek Campsites
- Bear Creek Campsite
Fishing spots
- Bear Creek Lake
- Presbyterian Lake
- Tallulah Falls Lake
- Yonah Lake
- Lake Rabun
- Asheville Recreation Park Lake
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Sloan's Bridge Crossing, Crossing Of Sc 107
- Sloan's Bridge Crossing To 1/4 Mile Above The Walhalla Fish Hatchery
- 1/4 Mile Above The Walhalla Fish Hatchery To 1/4 Mile Below The Walhalla Fish Hatchery
- 1/4 Mile Below Walhalla Fish Hatchery To Boundary Of Chattooga Wsr
- Yellowstone Prong From Headwaters To Confluence With East Fork And Yellowstone Prong
- Burrels Ford To Lick Log Branch (Section 1)
Track Toxaway Dam Lower 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 Toxaway Dam Lower
Where does the data for Toxaway Dam Lower 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 Toxaway Dam Lower.