Benn Grant Lower Dam dam
Benn Grant Lower Dam
Benn Grant Lower Dam, located in Macon, North Carolina, along the Battle Branch river, is a private earth dam primarily used for recreation. Standing at a hydraulic height of 23.4 feet and a structural height of 28 feet, this dam spans 400 feet in length and has a storage capacity of 23 acre-feet. With a surface area of 3 acres and a drainage area of 125 square miles, this dam plays a significant role in the local water resource management system.
Although not state-regulated, Benn Grant Lower Dam poses a significant hazard potential and has not been rated for its condition since its last inspection in 2004. Despite the lack of recent assessment data, the dam continues to be inspected regularly, demonstrating a commitment to safety and maintenance. As a focal point for recreational activities in the area, including fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing, the dam serves as both a functional water resource structure and a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
While lacking in certain regulatory oversight, Benn Grant Lower Dam remains a vital part of the local landscape, offering both recreational opportunities and potential risks that must be managed effectively. With its location in a picturesque setting and its role in providing water storage and flood control, this dam stands as a reminder of the delicate balance between harnessing natural resources for human use and ensuring the safety of surrounding communities and ecosystems.
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 Benn Grant Lower Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cartoogechaye Creek Near Franklin | 261 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee River Near Prentiss | 169 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee R At Franklin | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Nantahala River Near Rainbow Springs | 119 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee River At Needmore | 445 cfs | → |
| Tallulah River Near Clayton | 72 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Benn Grant Lower Dam.
Boat launches
- Great Smoky Mountains Expressway 5453, Jackson County
- Church Street Jackson County
- Jackrabbit Boating Access
- Music Hall Road Towns County
- Lake Chatuge Towns County
- Canada Road 14091, Tuckasegee
Campgrounds
- Hurricane Creek Horse & Primitive Campground
- Standing Indian Campground
- Standing Indian Campground Store
- Standing Indian
- Kimsey Creek Group Campground
- Moore Creek Camp
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters In Standing Indian Basin To Slackwater Of Natahala Lake
- Ga/Nc State Line To 2 Miles Downriver
- Natahala Powerhouse To Lake Fontana (River Mile 4)
- Highway 28 To Earl's Ford (Section 2)
- Burrels Ford To Lick Log Branch (Section 1)
- 1/4 Mile Below Walhalla Fish Hatchery To Boundary Of Chattooga Wsr
Track Benn Grant Lower 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 Benn Grant Lower Dam
Where does the data for Benn Grant 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 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 Benn Grant Lower Dam.