Wayne Wells Dam dam
Wayne Wells Dam
Wayne Wells Dam, located in Murphy, North Carolina, on Palmer Branch, is a private earth dam primarily used for recreation. The dam has a hydraulic height of 34 feet and a structural height of 41 feet, with a length of 160 feet. It has a normal storage capacity of 40 acre-feet and a maximum storage capacity of 49 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 3 acres. The dam poses a low hazard potential and was last assessed to be in fair condition as of January 2020.
Owned and regulated by the state of North Carolina, Wayne Wells Dam is subject to regular inspections and enforcement measures by the NC Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program. The dam does not have associated structures or locks, and its maximum discharge capacity is 120 cubic feet per second. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is essential for recreational purposes in the area and contributes to the local water resource management.
With a historical completion date and years modified unknown, Wayne Wells Dam continues to serve as a vital recreational asset in Cherokee County. It is situated within the Savannah District of the US Army Corps of Engineers and is overseen by state and federal agencies to ensure its safe operation and maintenance. Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the role of Wayne Wells Dam in providing recreational opportunities while also recognizing the importance of its regulatory compliance and safety measures.
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 Wayne Wells Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Valley River At Tomotla | 116 cfs | → |
| Nottely River Near Blairsville | 81 cfs | → |
| Nantahala River Near Rainbow Springs | 121 cfs | → |
| Ocoee River At Copperhill | 259 cfs | → |
| Cheoah River Nr Bearpen Gap Nr Tapoco | 141 cfs | → |
| Tellico River At Tellico Plains | 131 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wayne Wells Dam.
Boat launches
- Payne Street Murphy
- Hiwassee Street Murphy
- Hanging Dog Campground Road 1881, Murphy
- Ramsey Bend South Cherokee County
- Joe Brown Highway 8240, Murphy
- Micken Branch Cherokee County
Campgrounds
- Hanging Dog
- Fires Creek Hunt Camp
- Fires Creek Hunters Camp
- State Line Campground
- Rough Ridge Campground
- State Line
Fishing spots
- Massey Branch Fishing Pier
- Hickory Nut Cove Trout Farm
- Tellico River
- Santeetlah Lake
- Indian Boundary Lake
- Citico Creek
Paddle runs
- Headwaters Near Mitchell Lick To Owlcamp Branch
- Headwaters Near Graham County Line To Nc/Tn State Line
- Owlcamp Branch To Polecat Branch
- Polecat Branch To Snowbird Picnic Area
- Headwaters In Standing Indian Basin To Slackwater Of Natahala Lake
- Source Near Chattahoochee Gap To Mark Trail Wilderness Boundary
Track Wayne Wells 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 Wayne Wells Dam
Where does the data for Wayne Wells 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 Wayne Wells Dam.