Richard Allen Dam dam
Richard Allen Dam
Richard Allen Dam, located in Mcfarland Tenn, North Carolina, is a privately owned structure constructed in 1981 for recreational purposes along Laurel Branch. With a hydraulic height of 25 feet and a structural height of 25 feet, this earth dam provides a storage capacity of 25 acre-feet and a normal storage of 10 acre-feet. Despite not being state regulated, the dam has undergone inspections in the past to ensure its structural integrity.
The dam, managed by a private owner, falls under the jurisdiction of the Savannah District of the US Army Corps of Engineers. While its hazard potential is deemed significant, the condition assessment remains unrated as of the last inspection in 2013. With a length of 125 feet, Richard Allen Dam serves as a vital recreational spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts in Cherokee, North Carolina, offering a serene escape and a scenic backdrop for outdoor activities.
Although lacking certain regulatory measures and assessments, Richard Allen Dam continues to provide a safe and enjoyable recreational environment for visitors. Its location, surrounded by natural beauty and offering opportunities for water-based activities, makes it a popular destination for those seeking a tranquil escape in the heart of North Carolina's picturesque landscape. As water resource and climate enthusiasts explore this area, the dam stands as a testament to the harmonious relationship between human recreation and the conservation of natural resources.
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 Richard Allen Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ocoee River At Copperhill | 385 cfs | → |
| Tellico River At Tellico Plains | 88 cfs | → |
| Valley River At Tomotla | 89 cfs | → |
| Toccoa River Near Dial | 236 cfs | → |
| Oostanaula Creek Near Sanford | 28 cfs | → |
| Hiwassee River At Charleston | 10,400 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Richard Allen Dam.
Boat launches
- Hiwassee Dam Access Road 4692, Murphy
- Micken Branch Cherokee County
- Powerhouse Road 820-832, Reliance
- Apalachia Powerhouse Launch
- Towee Creek Launch
- Joe Brown Highway 8240, Murphy
Campgrounds
- Big Lost Creek
- Lost Creek Campground
- Thunder Rock
- Thunder Rock Campground
- Holly Flats Campground
- Holly Flats
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters Near Graham County Line To Nc/Tn State Line
- Tn/Nc State Line (Rm 48.0) To Tn360 Bridge (Rm 30.0)
- Apalachia Powerhouse (Rm 53.5) To Us411 Bridge (Rm 43.0)
- Headwaters Near Mitchell Lick To Owlcamp Branch
- Southern Boundary Cohutta Wilderness Near Peter Cove To Northern Boundary Cohutta Wilderness Near Alaculsy
- Northern Boundary Cohutta Wilderness To Confluence With Conasauga River
Track Richard Allen 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 Richard Allen Dam
Where does the data for Richard Allen 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 Richard Allen Dam.