Wilson Creek Lower Dam dam
Wilson Creek Lower Dam
Wilson Creek Lower Dam, located in Macon, North Carolina, is a federal-owned structure on Brooks Creek, serving the primary purpose of recreation. The dam, with a structural height of 30 feet, has a storage capacity of 80 acre-feet and is managed by the Nashville District of the US Army Corps of Engineers. Despite not being state-regulated, the dam is under regular inspection, with the last assessment in January 2013 revealing a poor condition and a high hazard potential.
The dam's location in the Clear Creek Community offers a picturesque setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy various recreational activities. However, the outdated condition assessment and lack of recent modifications raise concerns about the dam's safety and long-term sustainability. As climate change continues to impact water resources, stakeholders should prioritize updating the dam's maintenance and risk management measures to ensure the safety of both the structure and surrounding communities.
With its potential risk and historical significance, Wilson Creek Lower Dam presents a unique opportunity for collaboration between federal agencies, local authorities, and community members to develop a comprehensive emergency action plan and implement necessary upgrades. By proactively addressing the dam's maintenance needs and enhancing its resilience to changing environmental conditions, stakeholders can preserve this recreational asset while safeguarding water resources for future generations.
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 Wilson Creek Lower Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Tennessee River Near Prentiss | 138 cfs | → |
| Cartoogechaye Creek Near Franklin | 261 cfs | → |
| Chattooga River Near Clayton | 210 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee R At Franklin | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Tallulah River Near Clayton | 63 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Nr Cullowhee | 75 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wilson Creek Lower Dam.
Boat launches
- Devils Fork Road Oconee County
- White Oak Hill Road Oconee County
- Landing Road Oconee County
- Fall Creek Landing
- Canada Road 14091, Tuckasegee
- Cabin Road 398, Pickens County
Campgrounds
- Blue Valley Dispersed Camping
- Blue Valley Camp
- Van Hook Glade
- Van Hook Glade Campground
- Sarah's Creek Campground
- Sarahs Creek
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Ga/Nc State Line To 2 Miles Downriver
- Burrels Ford To Lick Log Branch (Section 1)
- 1/4 Mile Below Walhalla Fish Hatchery To Boundary Of Chattooga Wsr
- Highway 28 To Earl's Ford (Section 2)
- 1/4 Mile Above The Walhalla Fish Hatchery To 1/4 Mile Below The Walhalla Fish Hatchery
- Sloan's Bridge Crossing To 1/4 Mile Above The Walhalla Fish Hatchery
Track Wilson Creek 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 Wilson Creek Lower Dam
Where does the data for Wilson Creek 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 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 Wilson Creek Lower Dam.