Turner Shoals Dam dam
Turner Shoals Dam
Turner Shoals Dam, also known as Lake Adger Dam, is a captivating structure located in Polk, North Carolina. Constructed in 1925, this concrete dam serves a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation along the Green River. Standing at a hydraulic height of 87 feet and a length of 665 feet, this dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the NCDEQ Dam Safety Program, Turner Shoals Dam has a storage capacity of 16,530 acre-feet and a drainage area of 80,640 acres. With a maximum discharge capacity of 34,000 cubic feet per second, this dam presents a high hazard potential but is currently assessed to be in fair condition as of May 2017. Its surface area of 438 acres and normal storage capacity of 13,776 acre-feet make it a significant water resource for the surrounding area.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Turner Shoals Dam offers a blend of historical significance and vital hydroelectric infrastructure. With its impressive structure and important role in managing water resources along the Green River, this dam serves as a key landmark in Polk, North Carolina. The ongoing inspections and regulatory oversight ensure its continued operation and contribution to the local water supply and energy generation.
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 Turner Shoals Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cove Creek Near Lake Lure | 33 cfs | → |
| South Pacolet River Nr Campobello | 19 cfs | → |
| Second Broad River Nr Logan | 31 cfs | → |
| North Pacolet River At Fingerville | 51 cfs | → |
| Pacolet River Near Fingerville | 81 cfs | → |
| Middle Tyger River Near Gramling | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Turner Shoals Dam.
Boat launches
- Memorial Highway 2693, Lake Lure
- Anchor Park
- Hooper Lane Mills River
- Sandy Ford Road 1925, Chesnee
- J. Verne Smith Park (Lake Robinson)
- Houseboat Lane 299, Mcdowell County
Campgrounds
- River Creek Camp Ground
- Creekside Mountain Camping
- Catawba Falls Campground, Llc
- Vein Mountain Gold Camp & Carolina Emerald Mine
- Lucky Strike Campground
- Pleasant Ridge County Park
Fishing spots
- Asheville Recreation Park Lake
- Bailey Branch
- Anderson Branch
- Big Pine Creek
- Bear Creek Lake
- Nolichucky River
Paddle runs
- 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
- South Fork From Confluence With Pigeon Br To Nf Boundary
- East Fork From Us Highway 276 To Confluence Of Dark Prong And Yellowstone Prong
- Linville Wilderness Boundary To Lake James
Track Turner Shoals 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 Turner Shoals Dam
Where does the data for Turner Shoals 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 Turner Shoals Dam.