Nicholas Lake Dam dam
Nicholas Lake Dam
Nicholas Lake Dam, located in High Rock, North Carolina, is a local government-owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS and regulated by the NCDEQ Dam Safety Program. The dam, completed in 1969, serves primarily for recreational purposes along Persimmon Creek and features an earth core with stone foundations. With a hydraulic height of 23 feet and a structural height of 27 feet, the dam offers a maximum storage capacity of 110 acre-feet and a normal storage of 92 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 9 acres.
Although deemed to have low hazard potential, Nicholas Lake Dam has a moderate risk assessment rating of 3. The dam is inspected every 5 years, with the last assessment in September 2017, where its condition was listed as "Not Rated." The spillway type is uncontrolled, with uncontrolled outlet gates, and the dam has not been modified in recent years. Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the dam's risk management measures and emergency action plan status are currently unknown, highlighting the importance of regular monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety of its surrounding community and water resources.
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 Nicholas Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Abbotts Creek At Lexington | 35 cfs | → |
| Second Creek Near Barber | 25 cfs | → |
| Yadkin River At Yadkin College | 1,130 cfs | → |
| South Yadkin River Near Mocksville | 98 cfs | → |
| Coddle Cr At Sr 1612 Near Davidson | 5 cfs | → |
| Rocky R Ab Irish Buffalo Cr Nr Rocky River | 61 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Nicholas Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Wildlife Rec Area Access Road 899, Davidson County
- Trading Ford Way Davidson County
- Nc Highway 801 South 5877, Mocksville
- Marina Drive 298, Montgomery County
- Old Whitney Boat Ramp
- Lake Thom-A-Lex Park
Campgrounds
- Badin Lake
- Badin Lake Campground
- Badin Lake Capmground Upper Loop
- Badin Lake Group Camp
- Arrowhead
- Arrowhead Campground
Fishing spots
- Abbotts Creek
- Buddle Branch
- Badin Lake Lakemont Rd
- Boulding Branch
- Mountain Island Park Fishing Access
- Arrowhead Lake
Track Nicholas Lake 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 Nicholas Lake Dam
Where does the data for Nicholas Lake 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 Nicholas Lake Dam.