Cornwell Dam dam
Cornwell Dam
Cornwell Dam, located in Fairview, North Carolina, on Stevens Creek, is a privately owned earth dam primarily used for recreation. Standing at a hydraulic height of 23 feet and a structural height of 27.5 feet, this dam was completed in 1957 and has a normal storage capacity of 211 acre-feet. With a drainage area of 363 square miles, the dam serves as a vital water resource in the region, storing up to 358 acre-feet of water and covering a surface area of 23 acres.
Despite its recreational purpose, Cornwell Dam poses a high hazard potential and has been assessed to be in fair condition as of the last inspection in January 2020. The dam is subject to state regulation by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program, with inspection, enforcement, and permitting all managed by state agencies. The dam's emergency action plan was last revised in June 2016, indicating a commitment to safety and risk management measures.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts visiting Cornwell Dam can appreciate its role in providing recreational opportunities while also recognizing the importance of maintaining its safety and integrity. With a rich history dating back to the 1950s, this dam stands as a testament to human ingenuity in harnessing natural resources for the benefit of local communities. As efforts continue to ensure the dam's compliance with regulations and safety standards, Cornwell Dam remains a key feature in the landscape of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.
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 Cornwell Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Irvins Creek At Sr3168 Nr Charlotte | 0 cfs | → |
| Mcalpine Creek At Sr3150 Nr Idlewild | 0 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek At Sr1525 Nr Indian Trail | 1 cfs | → |
| Campbell Creek Nr Charlotte | 0 cfs | → |
| Mcalpine Cr At Sardis Road Near Charlotte | 2 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek At Sr3181 Nr Mint Hill | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cornwell Dam.
Boat launches
- Catawba Nation Greenway Trail York County
- Soldier Road 15299, Mecklenburg County
- Copperhead Island Mecklenburg County
- Piedmont Medical Center Trail York County
- Wilkinson Boulevard Belmont
- Waterford Trail Rock Hill
Campgrounds
- Sign Language
- Williams Farm
- Mcdowell Nature Preserve
- Cane Creek Park
- Andrew Jackson State Park
- Ebenezer County Park
Fishing spots
- Buck Branch
- Mountain Island Park Fishing Access
- Arrowhead Lake
- Badin Lake Lakemont Rd
- Abbotts Creek
- Buddle Branch
Track Cornwell 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 Cornwell Dam
Where does the data for Cornwell 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 Cornwell Dam.