Yadkin Narrows dam
Yadkin Narrows
Yadkin Narrows is a captivating hydroelectric dam located on the Yadkin River in North Carolina. Built in 1917 by the Aluminum Company of America, this gravity dam stands at a height of 201.1 feet and has a structural height of 214 feet. With a storage capacity of 217,080 acre-feet and a surface area of 5,355 acres, Yadkin Narrows plays a crucial role in hydroelectric power generation, recreation, and water supply in the region.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Yadkin Narrows has a high hazard potential and is subject to regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. The dam features various outlet gates, including slide gates and tainter gates, for water control and management. Despite its age, Yadkin Narrows continues to be a vital infrastructure for the surrounding communities, providing essential services and contributing to the region's water resource management.
With its rich history and significant impact on the local environment, Yadkin Narrows stands as a testament to the intersection of human ingenuity and natural resources. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, exploring the engineering marvels and ecological implications of Yadkin Narrows offers a unique insight into the delicate balance between harnessing water for power and preserving the surrounding ecosystem.
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 Yadkin Narrows -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little River Near Star | 5 cfs | → |
| Rocky River Near Norwood | 117 cfs | → |
| Rocky R Ab Irish Buffalo Cr Nr Rocky River | 45 cfs | → |
| Rocky River Nr Stanfield | 173 cfs | → |
| Abbotts Creek At Lexington | 32 cfs | → |
| Goose Cr At Fairview | 14 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Yadkin Narrows .
Boat launches
- Badin Lake Boat Ramp
- Cove Boat Ramp
- Falls Road Stanly County
- Morrow Mountain Boat Launch
- Old Whitney Boat Ramp
- Marina Drive 298, Montgomery County
Campgrounds
- Deep Water Trailt Horse Camp
- Art Lilley Campground
- Arrowhead
- Arrowhead Campground
- Badin Lake Capmground Upper Loop
- Badin Lake
Fishing spots
- Badin Lake Lakemont Rd
- Abbotts Creek
- Buddle Branch
- Arrowhead Lake
- Blewett Falls Lake Grassy Island
- Big Branch
Track Yadkin Narrows 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 Yadkin Narrows
Where does the data for Yadkin Narrows 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 Yadkin Narrows .