Mccorkle Lake Dam dam
Mccorkle Lake Dam
Mccorkle Lake Dam, located in Henry River, Burke, North Carolina, is a privately owned Earth dam designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1977 for the primary purpose of recreation. This dam stands at a structural height of 27 feet with a hydraulic height of 25 feet and has a storage capacity of 16 acre-feet, serving as a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy water-based activities in its 1.5-acre surface area reservoir. The dam is regulated by the NCDEQ Dam Safety Program and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its fair condition and significant hazard potential are managed effectively.
Owned by a private entity, Mccorkle Lake Dam is situated on Cub Creek-Os and falls under the jurisdiction of the NCDEQ, Department of Energy and Mineral Resources, Dam Safety Program. The dam's uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates contribute to its moderate risk assessment level, prompting a biennial inspection frequency to maintain its integrity and safety standards. Although the dam's condition is currently assessed as fair, its risk management measures and emergency action plan status remain unspecified, indicating potential areas for improvement in mitigating risks and ensuring swift response in case of emergencies. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Mccorkle Lake Dam presents a captivating case study on the intersection of recreational infrastructure, environmental regulation, and risk management in safeguarding water resources for sustainable use and enjoyment.
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 Mccorkle Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Henry Fork Near Henry River | 39 cfs | → |
| Jacob Fork At Ramsey | 15 cfs | → |
| Johns River At Arneys Store | 153 cfs | → |
| First Broad River Near Casar | 34 cfs | → |
| Yadkin River At Patterson | 23 cfs | → |
| Linville River Near Nebo | 95 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mccorkle Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Weaver Lane Burke County
- Gunpowder Boat Ramp
- Canal Bridge Boat Ramp Burke County
- Linville Boat Ramp
- Hidden Cove Boat Ramp Mcdowell County
- Houseboat Lane 299, Mcdowell County
Campgrounds
- Sawtooth Campground
- South Mountains State Park
- Little River Campground
- Family Campground, South Mountains State Park
- Shinny Falls Campground
- Upper Falls Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Linville Wilderness Boundary To Lake James
- Linville Gorge Wilderness Boundary To Southern End Of Wilderness
- Blue Ridge Parkway Boundary To Linville Gorge Boundary
- Headwaters Above Linville Gap To Blue Ridge Parkway Boundary
- Watauga Reservoir To Tn/Nc State Line
- Boundary Between Mitchell And Yancy Counties To Nc/Tn Stateline
Track Mccorkle 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 Mccorkle Lake Dam
Where does the data for Mccorkle 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 Significant 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 Mccorkle Lake Dam.