Camp Cheerio Lake Dam dam
Camp Cheerio Lake Dam
Camp Cheerio Lake Dam, located in Roaring River, North Carolina, is a privately owned structure that serves as a recreational destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Built in 1976 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 20 feet and a structural height of 26 feet, with a length of 263 feet. The dam boasts a storage capacity of 30.2 acre-feet, providing ample space for water-based activities on its 2.9-acre surface area.
Situated on Stone Mountain Creek in Alleghany County, Camp Cheerio Lake Dam has a low hazard potential and is not currently rated for its condition. Despite not being state-regulated, the dam undergoes regular inspections, with the last assessment conducted in October 2020. With its uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, the dam presents a moderate risk level but continues to be a popular spot for recreation, attracting visitors to its idyllic setting and offering a tranquil environment for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy nature's beauty.
Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Camp Cheerio Lake Dam provides a safe and enjoyable environment for campers, hikers, and nature lovers to appreciate the surrounding landscape. While not without its risks, the dam's moderate risk level underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety of those who frequent the area. As a key feature in the region's water resource system, this earth dam serves as a testament to the balance between human recreation and environmental stewardship in the face of changing climate patterns.
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 Camp Cheerio Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mitchell River Near State Road | 57 cfs | → |
| Yadkin River At Elkin | 489 cfs | → |
| New River Near Galax | 565 cfs | → |
| Chestnut Creek At Galax | 25 cfs | → |
| Reddies River At North Wilkesboro | 32 cfs | → |
| Yadkin River At Wilkesboro | 338 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Camp Cheerio Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Farmers Fish Camp Road Alleghany County
- Old River Lane 998, Grayson County
- Baywood Boat Ramp
- Cox's Chapel Road Grayson County
- Riverside Boat Ramp
- Pattons Mill Lane 1434, Grayson County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Whitetop Laurel--Jefferson Nf Boundary (Intersection Of Hwy 58 And Sr 859) To Jefferson Nf Boundary Above Damascus
- Green Cove--Jefferson Nf Near Confluence Of Star Hill Branch To Confluence With Whitetop Laurel
- Headwaters To Tn/Va State Line
- Watauga Reservoir To Tn/Nc State Line
Track Camp Cheerio 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 Camp Cheerio Lake Dam
Where does the data for Camp Cheerio 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 Low 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 Camp Cheerio Lake Dam.