Shelton Lake Dam dam
Shelton Lake Dam
Shelton Lake Dam, located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is a privately owned structure that serves the primary purpose of recreation. The dam, classified as an Earth type, stands at a hydraulic height of 30.6 feet with a structural height matching that measurement. With a storage capacity of 122 acre-feet and a surface area of 10 acres, this dam on the Muddy Creek-Tr river is a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts seeking water-based activities.
Despite its recreational appeal, Shelton Lake Dam poses a high hazard potential and has been rated as being in poor condition during its most recent inspection in March 2021. The dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the North Carolina Dam Safety Program, indicating a commitment to ensuring public safety. With a history that includes being updated as recently as April 2021, this structure continues to be monitored and managed to address any potential risks associated with its operation.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Shelton Lake Dam offers a case study in the importance of maintaining and managing dams for both recreational and safety purposes. As a privately owned facility within Forsyth County, this dam serves as a vital part of the local water infrastructure while also presenting challenges that require ongoing attention and investment to ensure its continued safe operation for the community.
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 Shelton Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yadkin River At Enon | 670 cfs | → |
| Little Yadkin River At Dalton | 7 cfs | → |
| Yadkin River At Yadkin College | 876 cfs | → |
| Ararat River At Ararat | 110 cfs | → |
| Dan R At Pine Hall | 140 cfs | → |
| Hunting Creek Near Harmony | 50 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Shelton Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Belews Lake Drive 8191, Belews Creek
- Lake Thom-A-Lex Park
- Campground Trail Yadkin County
- Nc Highway 801 South 5877, Mocksville
- Pine Hall Road 2547-2793, Walnut Cove
- Trading Ford Way Davidson County
Campgrounds
- Tanglewood Park
- Pilot Mountain State Park
- Ymca Camp Hanes
- Hanging Rock State Park
- Sunset Park Campground
- Oak Hollow City Campground
Fishing spots
Track Shelton 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 Shelton Lake Dam
Where does the data for Shelton 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 High 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 Shelton Lake Dam.