Thorpe dam
Thorpe
Thorpe, also known as Glenville, is a public utility located in Tuckasegee, North Carolina, and is a hydroelectric dam on the West Fork Tuckasegee River. Built in 1941, this rockfill dam stands at a height of 150 feet and has a storage capacity of 67,100 acre-feet, with a normal storage capacity of 65,600 acre-feet. With a surface area of 1,462 acres and a drainage area of 37 square miles, Thorpe has a maximum discharge of 61,400 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Thorpe's spillway width is 238 feet and features Tainter (radial) outlet gates. Classified as a high hazard potential dam, Thorpe's risk assessment is very high, indicating the importance of proper risk management measures. Although the condition assessment is not available, regular inspections by the FERC ensure the safety and integrity of the dam. Climate and water resource enthusiasts will appreciate Thorpe's significant role in generating hydroelectric power while navigating potential environmental challenges.
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 Thorpe -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Nr Cullowhee | 75 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee R At Franklin | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee River Near Prentiss | 138 cfs | → |
| Cartoogechaye Creek Near Franklin | 261 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Barker's Creek | 290 cfs | → |
| W F Pigeon R Above Lake Logan Nr Hazelwood | 20 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Thorpe .
Boat launches
- Canada Road 14091, Tuckasegee
- Great Smoky Mountains Expressway 5453, Jackson County
- Devils Fork Road Oconee County
- White Oak Hill Road Oconee County
- Church Street Jackson County
- Cabin Road 398, Pickens County
Campgrounds
- Ralph Andrews County Park
- Van Hook Glade
- Van Hook Glade Campground
- Blue Valley Camp
- Blue Valley Dispersed Camping
- Wintergreen Campsite
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Sloan's Bridge Crossing, Crossing Of Sc 107
- 1/4 Mile Below Walhalla Fish Hatchery To Boundary Of Chattooga Wsr
- 1/4 Mile Above The Walhalla Fish Hatchery To 1/4 Mile Below The Walhalla Fish Hatchery
- Sloan's Bridge Crossing To 1/4 Mile Above The Walhalla Fish Hatchery
- Ga/Nc State Line To 2 Miles Downriver
- Burrels Ford To Lick Log Branch (Section 1)
Track Thorpe 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 Thorpe
Where does the data for Thorpe 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 Thorpe .