Dicks Creek Dam dam
Dicks Creek Dam
Dicks Creek Dam, located in Macon County, North Carolina, is a vital hydroelectric structure managed by a public utility. Completed in 1942, this rockfill dam stands at 16 feet high and spans 109 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 126,000 acre-feet. The dam serves as a key component in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's oversight, ensuring its safe operation and compliance with regulations.
With a low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the dam is inspected regularly by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to maintain its structural integrity. The dam's primary purpose is hydroelectric power generation, utilizing an uncontrolled spillway and multi-arch core design. Even though it is not state-regulated, the dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and contributes to the local hydroelectric power supply in the region.
Situated in the scenic Nantahala area near the Dicks Creek, this hydroelectric marvel stands as a testament to engineering and sustainable energy production. Despite its age, Dicks Creek Dam continues to provide valuable services while prioritizing safety and environmental considerations in its operations. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, this dam offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of technology, nature, and energy production.
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 Dicks Creek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nantahala River Near Rainbow Springs | 121 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee River At Needmore | 463 cfs | → |
| Cartoogechaye Creek Near Franklin | 261 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee R At Franklin | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee River Near Prentiss | 174 cfs | → |
| Valley River At Tomotla | 116 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dicks Creek Dam .
⚓ Boat launches
- Massey Branch Road 1184, Robbinsville
- Jackrabbit Boating Access
- Cable Cove Road, Fontana Dam
- Cable Cove Road Graham County
- Joyce Kilmer Road 1986, Graham County
- Joyce Kilmer Road 1920, Robbinsville
⛺ Campgrounds
- Appletree Group Camp
- Appletree Group Campground
- Ledbetter Creek Camp
- Wine Spring Campsite
- Tat Start
- Lost Mine Camp Ground
🎣 Fishing spots
- Massey Branch Fishing Pier
- Santeetlah Lake
- Hickory Nut Cove Trout Farm
- Augerhole Branch
- Birchfield Branch
- Lake Burton
🛶 Paddle runs
- Headwaters In Standing Indian Basin To Slackwater Of Natahala Lake
- Natahala Powerhouse To Lake Fontana (River Mile 4)
- Polecat Branch To Snowbird Picnic Area
- Owlcamp Branch To Polecat Branch
- Headwaters Near Mitchell Lick To Owlcamp Branch
- Headwaters Near Graham County Line To Nc/Tn State Line
Track Dicks Creek 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 Dicks Creek Dam
Where does the data for Dicks Creek 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 Low 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 Dicks Creek Dam .