Starnes Cove Lower Dam dam
Starnes Cove Lower Dam
Located in Asheville, North Carolina, the Starnes Cove Lower Dam is a privately owned earth dam that serves the primary purpose of recreation. Situated along Ragsdale Creek, this dam has a hydraulic height of 27.5 feet and a structural height of 32 feet, with a length of 182 feet. While it has a normal storage capacity of 7 acre-feet, it can hold a maximum of 12 acre-feet.
Despite its fair condition assessment as of May 2009, the Starnes Cove Lower Dam has a high hazard potential. This dam has not undergone any modifications or inspections since 2009, raising concerns about its current safety and reliability. Given its proximity to the community and potential risk of failure, it is crucial for the owners and regulatory agencies to prioritize regular inspections and maintenance to ensure the safety of downstream residents and environmental resources.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts may find the Starnes Cove Lower Dam intriguing due to its location in a picturesque setting and its role in providing recreational opportunities. However, the lack of recent inspections and maintenance highlights the importance of proactive monitoring and management of dams to prevent potential hazards and protect surrounding areas from the impacts of dam failure. As discussions around climate change and water resource management continue to evolve, the safety and upkeep of dams like Starnes Cove Lower Dam will be critical for sustainable water infrastructure and environmental conservation.
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 Starnes Cove Lower Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| French Broad River At Asheville | 852 cfs | → |
| Swannanoa River At Biltmore | 85 cfs | → |
| Pigeon River Near Canton | 99 cfs | → |
| Ivy River Near Marshall | 146 cfs | → |
| French Broad River Near Fletcher | 590 cfs | → |
| French Broad River At Marshall | 952 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Starnes Cove Lower Dam.
Boat launches
See all →
Campgrounds
See all →
Fishing spots
See all →
River runs
See all →
More reservoirs
See all →
About Starnes Cove Lower Dam
Where does the data for Starnes Cove Lower 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 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 below 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.
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.