Watauga Vista Dam dam
Watauga Vista Dam
Watauga Vista Dam, located in Macon, North Carolina, is a private dam situated on Watauga Creek, with a primary purpose of recreation. Completed in 1968, this earth-type dam stands at a structural height of 44 feet, with a hydraulic height of 38.2 feet and a length of 167 feet. The dam has a normal storage capacity of 24 acre-feet and a maximum storage capacity of 31 acre-feet, serving a drainage area of 384 square miles.
With a high hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Watauga Vista Dam undergoes regular inspections by the North Carolina Dam Safety Program to ensure compliance with state regulations and enforcement. The dam's last inspection in March 2018 revealed its satisfactory condition, with an inspection frequency of every 2 years. While the dam does not have associated locks or spillways, it plays a crucial role in providing recreational opportunities in the area, serving as a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts.
As a significant structure in the region, Watauga Vista Dam is overseen by its private owners and state regulatory agencies to maintain its safety and functionality. The dam's location in the Nashville District and its association with Watauga City make it a vital part of the local landscape. With ongoing monitoring and adherence to safety guidelines, Watauga Vista Dam continues to contribute to the community's water resource management and recreational 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 Watauga Vista Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Tennessee R At Franklin | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Cartoogechaye Creek Near Franklin | 261 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee River Near Prentiss | 174 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Barker's Creek | 290 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Nr Cullowhee | 49 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee River At Needmore | 463 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Watauga Vista Dam.
Boat launches
- Great Smoky Mountains Expressway 5453, Jackson County
- Church Street Jackson County
- Canada Road 14091, Tuckasegee
- North Lakeshore Drive 103, Haywood County
- Cable Cove Road, Fontana Dam
- Cable Cove Road Graham County
Campgrounds
- Ralph Andrews County Park
- Van Hook Glade Campground
- Van Hook Glade
- Fort Wilderness Rv Park And Campground
- Deep Creek Campground
- Wine Spring Campsite
Fishing spots
- Bear Creek Lake
- Hickory Nut Cove Trout Farm
- Massey Branch Fishing Pier
- Augerhole Branch
- Birchfield Branch
- Lake Burton
Paddle runs
- Natahala Powerhouse To Lake Fontana (River Mile 4)
- Ga/Nc State Line To 2 Miles Downriver
- Headwaters In Standing Indian Basin To Slackwater Of Natahala Lake
- 1/4 Mile Below Walhalla Fish Hatchery To Boundary Of Chattooga Wsr
- Burrels Ford To Lick Log Branch (Section 1)
- Headwaters To Sloan's Bridge Crossing, Crossing Of Sc 107
Track Watauga Vista 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 Watauga Vista Dam
Where does the data for Watauga Vista 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 Watauga Vista Dam.