Moss Lake Dam dam
Moss Lake Dam
Moss Lake Dam, located in Cleveland County, North Carolina, is a crucial water resource structure designed for water supply purposes. Completed in 1973, this earth-type dam stands at an impressive structural height of 99 feet, with a hydraulic height of 85 feet, and a length of 840 feet. The dam has a maximum storage capacity of 51,032 acre-feet, serving a drainage area of 43,520 acres along Buffalo Creek.
Despite its fair condition assessment and high hazard potential, Moss Lake Dam is under the regulatory oversight of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program. Regular inspections are conducted to ensure the safety and integrity of the dam. With a normal storage capacity of 35,600 acre-feet and a surface area of 1,329 acres, the dam plays a vital role in managing water resources and mitigating flood risks in the region. Its association with the Nashville District of the US Army Corps of Engineers underscores its importance in maintaining water security for the community of Earl Station.
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 Moss Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Long Creek Near Bessemer City | 4 cfs | → |
| Broad River Near Blacksburg | 338 cfs | → |
| Broad River Near Boiling Springs | 392 cfs | → |
| Broad River Near Gaffney | 1,890 cfs | → |
| Indian Creek Near Laboratory | 13 cfs | → |
| Broad River Below Cherokee Falls | 576 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Moss Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- John H. Moss Lake Recreation Park
- Lakeshore Drive Cleveland County
- First Broad River Trail Shelby
- Wilkinson Boulevard Belmont
- East Charlotte Avenue Downtown
- Copperhead Island Mecklenburg County
Campgrounds
- John H. Moss Lake City Campground
- Shelby Mission Camp
- Hounds Gateway Campground
- Garner Creek Backcountry Campsite
- Garner Creek
- Kings Mountain State Park
Fishing spots
- Mountain Island Park Fishing Access
- Benfield Creek
- Johns Creek Lake
- Sedalia Lake
- Pittman Lake
- Macedonia Lake
Track Moss 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 Moss Lake Dam
Where does the data for Moss 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 Moss Lake Dam.