Emerson Lake Dam dam
Emerson Lake Dam
Emerson Lake Dam, located in Cabarrus, North Carolina, is a private earth dam primarily built for recreation purposes. With a hydraulic height of 19 feet and a structural height of 25 feet, this dam holds a storage capacity of 70 acre-feet, serving the nearby Coddle Creek-Os river and stream. The dam spans 250 feet in length and covers a surface area of three acres, making it a significant water resource in the region.
Even though Emerson Lake Dam is not state-regulated, it undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam has been deemed to have a significant hazard potential, highlighting the need for careful monitoring and maintenance. The last inspection in November 2018 showed that the dam's condition was not rated, emphasizing the importance of continued assessments and risk management measures to prevent any potential incidents or emergencies.
With its picturesque location in Roberta Mill and the recreational opportunities it offers, Emerson Lake Dam is a vital resource for both residents and visitors alike. Its role in water conservation and management reinforces the importance of sustainable practices in the face of changing climate patterns. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, staying informed about the state of dams like Emerson Lake is crucial for promoting environmental stewardship and resilience in the face of future challenges.
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 Emerson Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Coddle Cr At Sr 1612 Near Davidson | 3 cfs | → |
| W. Br Rocky R B Mth Of S Prong R Nr Cornelius | 3 cfs | → |
| Clarke Creek Near Harrisburg | 2 cfs | → |
| Mallard Cr Bl Stony Cr Nr Harrisburg | 5 cfs | → |
| Mcdowell Creek Nr Charlotte | 1 cfs | → |
| Gar Creek At Sr2074 Nr Croft | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Emerson Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Seipel Drive 8335, Denver
- Shipley Lane Lincoln County
- Nc 73 Mecklenburg County
- Neck Road 5744, Huntersville
- Burton Lane 4906, Denver
- Riverbend Boat Ramp
Fishing spots
- Mountain Island Park Fishing Access
- Abbotts Creek
- Buddle Branch
- Benfield Creek
- Badin Lake Lakemont Rd
- Buck Branch
Track Emerson 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 Emerson Lake Dam
Where does the data for Emerson 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 Emerson Lake Dam.