Hodge Dam dam
Hodge Dam
Hodge Dam, located in Sylva, North Carolina, serves as a vital recreational resource in the region. Owned privately, this earth dam stands at a structural height of 30.5 feet with a hydraulic height of 24.8 feet, offering a serene setting for outdoor enthusiasts. With a primary purpose of recreation, the dam provides a surface area of 0.6 square miles and a storage capacity of 5 billion gallons, making it a popular destination for water-based activities.
Despite its recreational appeal, Hodge Dam poses a high hazard potential due to its poor condition assessment as of January 2021. The dam is regulated by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program, ensuring regular inspections and enforcement of safety measures. With a history of modifications and frequent inspections every two years, the dam's emergency action plan is crucial in mitigating risks and ensuring public safety in case of a potential breach.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts flock to Hodge Dam for its natural beauty and recreational opportunities, it is essential to recognize the importance of regular maintenance and adherence to safety guidelines. With its location on Locust Creek-Tr and oversight by state regulatory agencies, Hodge Dam remains a significant landmark in Jackson County, North Carolina, balancing the need for water management with public safety 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 Hodge Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Nr Cullowhee | 49 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Barker's Creek | 290 cfs | → |
| Oconaluftee River At Birdtown | 215 cfs | → |
| W F Pigeon R Above Lake Logan Nr Hazelwood | 25 cfs | → |
| West Fork Pigeon River Near Retreat | 36 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Bryson City | 667 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hodge Dam.
Boat launches
- Great Smoky Mountains Expressway 5453, Jackson County
- Church Street Jackson County
- Canada Road 14091, Tuckasegee
- North Lakeshore Drive 103, Haywood County
- Pisgah Forest Access Brevard
Campgrounds
- Fort Wilderness Rv Park And Campground
- Ralph Andrews County Park
- Sunburst
- Sunburst Campground
- Balsam Mountain Campground
- Balsam Mountain - Great Smoky Mountains
Fishing spots
- Bear Creek Lake
- Augerhole Branch
- Birchfield Branch
- Massey Branch Fishing Pier
- Presbyterian Lake
- Bailey Branch
Paddle runs
- Yellowstone Prong From Headwaters To Confluence With East Fork And Yellowstone Prong
- Dark Prong From Headwaters To Confluence East Fork And Yellowstone Prong
- East Fork From Us Highway 276 To Confluence Of Dark Prong And Yellowstone Prong
- Natahala Powerhouse To Lake Fontana (River Mile 4)
- Headwaters To Sloan's Bridge Crossing, Crossing Of Sc 107
- 1/4 Mile Below Walhalla Fish Hatchery To Boundary Of Chattooga Wsr
Track Hodge 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 Hodge Dam
Where does the data for Hodge 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 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 Hodge Dam.