Upper Ridge Cove Dam dam
Upper Ridge Cove Dam
Upper Ridge Cove Dam, located in Ford Ga, North Carolina, along the Chattooga River-Tr, is a private concrete structure built in 1945 primarily for recreational purposes. Standing at a structural height of 32 feet with a hydraulic height of 31 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 84 acre-feet and a surface area of 7 acres. With a drainage area of 359 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region while also offering recreational opportunities for visitors.
Maintained and regulated by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program, Upper Ridge Cove Dam has a low hazard potential and is currently assessed to be in fair condition as of the last inspection in 2014. The dam has not undergone significant modifications over the years and does not feature a spillway or outlet gates. Despite its relatively modest size, the dam serves as a vital piece of infrastructure for water management and recreational activities in the area, attracting visitors and enthusiasts interested in water resources and climate-related topics.
With its picturesque location along the Chattooga River-Tr and its historical significance dating back to the mid-20th century, Upper Ridge Cove Dam offers a unique blend of natural beauty and engineering ingenuity. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the dam's role in water storage and management becomes increasingly important. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Upper Ridge Cove Dam presents an intriguing case study of how dams can serve multiple purposes, from recreation to flood control, while balancing the need for environmental stewardship and safety regulations.
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 Upper Ridge Cove Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Nr Cullowhee | 70 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee River Near Prentiss | 181 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee R At Franklin | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Cartoogechaye Creek Near Franklin | 261 cfs | → |
| French Broad River At Rosman | 97 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Barker's Creek | 416 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Ridge Cove Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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More reservoirs
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About Upper Ridge Cove Dam
Where does the data for Upper Ridge Cove 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.