Richard Wood Lower Dam Dam
Richard Wood Lower Dam
Richard Wood Lower Dam, located in Ford Ga, North Carolina, is a private concrete structure primarily used for recreation along the Chattooga River-Tr. Standing at a hydraulic height of 27.5 feet, this dam has a storage capacity of 35 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 3 acres. With a drainage area of 390 square miles, the dam serves as a vital water resource for the surrounding community.
Managed by the NCDEQ Dam Safety Program, the dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by state agencies to ensure public safety. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam's condition was assessed as fair during the last inspection in 2014. The emergency action plan status and risk assessment for the dam are currently unknown, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to mitigate any potential risks associated with the dam.
With a history of providing recreational opportunities and water storage, Richard Wood Lower Dam serves as a valuable asset for the region. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the maintenance and regulation of dams like this one are crucial to ensure the safety and sustainability of our water supply for future generations.
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 Richard Wood Lower Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Nr Cullowhee | 97 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee River Near Prentiss | 164 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee R At Franklin | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Cartoogechaye Creek Near Franklin | 261 cfs | → |
| French Broad River At Rosman | 89 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Barker's Creek | 652 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Richard Wood Lower 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 Richard Wood Lower Dam
Where does the data for Richard Wood 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 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.