Osceola Lake Dam Dam
Osceola Lake Dam
Located in Hendersonville, North Carolina, Osceola Lake Dam stands as a vital structure regulating the flow of Shepherd Creek. Built in 1920 for recreational purposes, this private earth dam boasts a structural height of 30 feet and a hydraulic height of 23 feet, with a storage capacity of 500 acre-feet. With a surface area of 32 acres and a drainage area of 2848 acres, Osceola Lake Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
Despite its age, Osceola Lake Dam has been deemed to be in satisfactory condition following its last inspection in September 2018, with a high hazard potential due to its location and function. The dam is under the regulatory oversight of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program, ensuring that it is regularly inspected, permitted, and enforced for compliance with safety standards. While its primary purpose is for recreation, Osceola Lake Dam serves as a crucial component in the water resource infrastructure of Henderson County, providing both storage and flood control benefits.
As climate change continues to impact the region, the role of Osceola Lake Dam in water resource management becomes increasingly significant. With a history dating back over a century, this earth dam remains a key asset in safeguarding the environment and communities downstream from potential flooding events. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding and monitoring the condition of Osceola Lake Dam is essential in ensuring the resilience and sustainability of this vital infrastructure.
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 Osceola Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| French Broad River At Blantyre | 329 cfs | → |
| Mills River Near Mills River | 52 cfs | → |
| French Broad River Near Fletcher | 470 cfs | → |
| Middle Saluda River Near Cleveland | 18 cfs | → |
| Davidson River Near Brevard | 40 cfs | → |
| South Saluda River Near Cleveland | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Osceola Lake Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Osceola Lake Dam
Where does the data for Osceola 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 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.