Mint Lake Dam dam
Mint Lake Dam
Mint Lake Dam, located in Macon, North Carolina, is a private earth dam with a primary purpose of recreation. The dam, situated on Mint Branch, has a structural height of 23 feet and a hydraulic height of 16.6 feet, creating a reservoir with a maximum storage capacity of 18 acre-feet. With a surface area of 2 acres, the dam provides a picturesque setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy various recreational activities.
Although not state regulated, Mint Lake Dam has been inspected for safety, with the last inspection conducted in January 2012, revealing a fair condition assessment. The dam is classified as having a significant hazard potential, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure public safety. Despite not being under state jurisdiction, the dam plays a key role in providing recreational opportunities for the local community in Cozads Mill.
With its tranquil setting and potential for outdoor activities, Mint Lake Dam serves as a valuable resource for water and climate enthusiasts seeking to appreciate the intersection of human infrastructure and natural landscapes. As a privately owned structure with a focus on recreation, the dam stands as a testament to the blending of nature and human ingenuity in creating sustainable water resources for the enjoyment of all.
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 Mint Lake 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 | 174 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee R At Franklin | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Nantahala River Near Rainbow Springs | 121 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee River At Needmore | 463 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Barker's Creek | 290 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mint Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Great Smoky Mountains Expressway 5453, Jackson County
- Church Street Jackson County
- Jackrabbit Boating Access
- Music Hall Road Towns County
- Massey Branch Road 1184, Robbinsville
- Lake Chatuge Towns County
Campgrounds
- Moore Creek Camp
- Wine Spring Campsite
- Standing Indian Campground
- Standing Indian Campground Store
- Standing Indian
- Kimsey Creek Group Campground
Fishing spots
- Hickory Nut Cove Trout Farm
- Bear Creek Lake
- Massey Branch Fishing Pier
- Lake Burton
- Augerhole Branch
- Santeetlah Lake
Paddle runs
- Headwaters In Standing Indian Basin To Slackwater Of Natahala Lake
- Natahala Powerhouse To Lake Fontana (River Mile 4)
- Ga/Nc State Line To 2 Miles Downriver
- Burrels Ford To Lick Log Branch (Section 1)
- Highway 28 To Earl's Ford (Section 2)
- 1/4 Mile Below Walhalla Fish Hatchery To Boundary Of Chattooga Wsr
Track Mint 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 Mint Lake Dam
Where does the data for Mint 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 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 Mint Lake Dam.