Powhatan dam
Powhatan
Powhatan, located in Buncombe, North Carolina, is a concrete dam completed in 1942 by the USDA Forest Service. This structure serves as a Fish and Wildlife Pond in the Bent Creek area, with a primary purpose of supporting fish and wildlife habitats. With a height of 23 feet and a storage capacity of 79 acre-feet, Powhatan plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of the region.
Despite its age, Powhatan remains an important feature for water resource and climate enthusiasts, providing recreational opportunities and supporting a diverse range of flora and fauna in the surrounding area. The dam is regulated and inspected by the Forest Service, ensuring that it meets safety standards and maintains its functionality. With a high hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, Powhatan is closely monitored to prevent any potential threats to the local community and ecosystem.
The dam's uncontrolled spillway and proximity to Bent Creek make it a vital component of the region's water management system. As a Federal-owned structure, Powhatan demonstrates the intersection between environmental protection and recreational activities, highlighting the delicate balance that must be maintained to preserve water resources for future generations. Climate enthusiasts can appreciate the role of Powhatan in supporting biodiversity and water sustainability in Buncombe, North Carolina.
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 Powhatan -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| French Broad River Near Fletcher | 590 cfs | → |
| Mills River Near Mills River | 121 cfs | → |
| Swannanoa River At Biltmore | 85 cfs | → |
| French Broad River At Asheville | 852 cfs | → |
| French Broad River At Blantyre | 414 cfs | → |
| Pigeon River Near Canton | 99 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Powhatan.
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 Powhatan
Where does the data for Powhatan 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.