E-Toh-Kalu Dam dam
E-Toh-Kalu Dam
E-Toh-Kalu Dam, also known as Louellen Dam, is a private dam located in Henderson, North Carolina, along the Grassy Creek-Tr. This masonry dam stands at a structural height of 12 feet and has a storage capacity of 75 acre-feet. While primarily built for recreation, the dam is also used for water supply and flood control purposes.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, the dam has not been recently inspected since February 2008. The lack of recent inspections raises concerns about the structural integrity and safety of the dam, especially in the face of changing climate patterns that can lead to extreme weather events. It is crucial for the dam owners to prioritize regular inspections and maintenance to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and the environment.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts should advocate for increased monitoring and maintenance of E-Toh-Kalu Dam to mitigate potential risks and ensure the long-term sustainability of this vital infrastructure. By staying informed and actively engaging in dam safety initiatives, enthusiasts can help protect water resources and communities from the impacts of climate change.
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 E-Toh-Kalu Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Saluda River Near Cleveland | 28 cfs | → |
| French Broad River At Blantyre | 502 cfs | → |
| Davidson River Near Brevard | 80 cfs | → |
| South Saluda River Near Cleveland | 5 cfs | → |
| Mills River Near Mills River | 124 cfs | → |
| French Broad River At Rosman | 153 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near E-Toh-Kalu Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About E-Toh-Kalu Dam
Where does the data for E-Toh-Kalu 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 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.