Mcguire Lake Dam dam
Mcguire Lake Dam
Mcguire Lake Dam, located in Cullowhee, North Carolina, is a privately owned earth dam that spans 237 feet in length and stands at a structural height of 30 feet. The dam's primary purpose is for recreation, with a hydraulic height of 25 feet and a storage capacity of 45 acre-feet. Despite its relatively small size, the dam has a high hazard potential, making it essential for regulatory agencies such as NCDEQ's Dam Safety Program to ensure regular inspections and enforcement of safety measures.
The dam, situated on Wayehutta Creek-Tr, is within the jurisdiction of the state and is subject to regulation, permitting, and inspection by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. The most recent inspection in January 2021 deemed the dam's condition satisfactory, but its high hazard potential indicates the importance of maintaining a robust Emergency Action Plan and ensuring that risk management measures are in place. With a history of compliance and satisfactory assessments, Mcguire Lake Dam serves as a vital recreational resource while highlighting the importance of responsible dam ownership and maintenance in the face of evolving climate challenges.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts continue to monitor and advocate for sustainable water management practices, Mcguire Lake Dam stands as a reminder of the critical role that dams play in providing recreational opportunities while also posing potential risks to surrounding communities. By staying vigilant in monitoring dam safety, conducting regular inspections, and implementing effective risk management measures, stakeholders can ensure that dams like Mcguire Lake Dam continue to serve their intended purposes without compromising public safety or environmental integrity in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Mcguire Lake 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 | → |
| W F Pigeon R Above Lake Logan Nr Hazelwood | 25 cfs | → |
| West Fork Pigeon River Near Retreat | 36 cfs | → |
| Oconaluftee River At Birdtown | 215 cfs | → |
| W Fk Pigeon R At Bethel | 49 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mcguire Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Great Smoky Mountains Expressway 5453, Jackson County
- Canada Road 14091, Tuckasegee
- Church Street Jackson County
- North Lakeshore Drive 103, Haywood County
- Pisgah Forest Access Brevard
Campgrounds
- Ralph Andrews County Park
- Sunburst
- Sunburst Campground
- Fort Wilderness Rv Park And Campground
- Camp Daniel Boone, Bsa
- Balsam Mountain Campground
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
- Headwaters To Sloan's Bridge Crossing, Crossing Of Sc 107
- 1/4 Mile Below Walhalla Fish Hatchery To Boundary Of Chattooga Wsr
- 1/4 Mile Above The Walhalla Fish Hatchery To 1/4 Mile Below The Walhalla Fish Hatchery
Track Mcguire 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 Mcguire Lake Dam
Where does the data for Mcguire 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 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 Mcguire Lake Dam.