Deer Park Lake dam
Deer Park Lake
Deer Park Lake in Mitchell, North Carolina, is a private water reservoir nestled in the picturesque city of Penland. Owned and regulated by the NCDEQ's Dam Safety Program, this earth dam structure stands at a hydraulic height of 73.3 feet, with a structural height of 81 feet. Its primary purpose is recreational, offering a serene escape for water resource and climate enthusiasts alike.
With a storage capacity of 320 acre-feet and a normal storage of 275 acre-feet, Deer Park Lake covers a surface area of 10 acres and is fed by Branch Creek. The dam's hazard potential is classified as significant, but its condition assessment remains satisfactory as of the last inspection in May 2019. While the dam lacks specific details such as construction year or spillway type, its serene surroundings and recreational offerings make it a must-visit destination for those seeking a tranquil water resource amidst North Carolina's natural beauty.
Deer Park Lake's structural integrity, coupled with its significant hazard potential, highlights the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure the safety of its surrounding community and visitors. As a recreational haven in the heart of Mitchell County, this private water reservoir serves as a vital resource for both locals and tourists, inviting them to appreciate the delicate balance between water management and environmental stewardship in a changing climate.
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 Deer Park Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Toe River Near Celo | 102 cfs | → |
| Linville River Near Nebo | 101 cfs | → |
| Catawba R Nr Pleasant Gardens | 247 cfs | → |
| North Fork Swannanoa River Near Walkertown | 15 cfs | → |
| Johns River At Arneys Store | 686 cfs | → |
| Beetree Creek Near Swannanoa | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Deer Park Lake.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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More reservoirs
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About Deer Park Lake
Where does the data for Deer Park Lake 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 Significant 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.