Blewett Falls dam
Blewett Falls
Blewett Falls, located in Anson County, North Carolina, is a captivating site for water resource and climate enthusiasts. This hydroelectric dam, completed in 1912, stands 77 feet tall and spans 4109 feet across the Pee Dee River. With a storage capacity of 97,000 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 490,000 cubic feet per second, the dam serves multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation, recreation, and water supply for the region.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Blewett Falls offers a unique blend of concrete, earth, and gravity dam types with a multi-arch core design. The dam's spillway, measuring 1469 feet in width, is uncontrolled, adding to the thrill and beauty of the surrounding landscape. The hazard potential is rated as high, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and emergency preparedness.
Visitors to Blewett Falls can explore the 2560-acre surface area, enjoy recreational activities, and appreciate the engineering marvel that has stood the test of time for over a century. With its rich history, impressive dimensions, and environmental significance, Blewett Falls is a must-visit destination for those passionate about water resources and climate sustainability.
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 Blewett Falls -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pee Dee R Nr Rockingham | 1,810 cfs | → |
| Rocky River Near Norwood | 166 cfs | → |
| Drowning Creek Near Hoffman | 43 cfs | → |
| Pee Dee River Nr Bennettsville | 2,140 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Star | 7 cfs | → |
| Big Shoe Heel Creek Nr Laurinburg | 28 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Blewett Falls .
Boat launches
- State Road 1759, Lilesville
- West Us 74 Highway 1333, Rockingham
- Lilly’S Bridge Access Area
- Morrow Mountain Boat Launch
- Falls Road Stanly County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Blewett Falls Lake Grassy Island
- Baldwins Pond
- Arrowhead Lake
- Broadacres Lake
- Big Branch
- Broadacres Lakes
Track Blewett Falls 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 Blewett Falls
Where does the data for Blewett Falls 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 Blewett Falls .