Leigh Lake Dam dam
Leigh Lake Dam
Leigh Lake Dam, also known as Sherwood Circle Dam, is a private-owned structure located in Gastonia, North Carolina. This earth-type dam serves primarily for recreational purposes and stands at a hydraulic height of 16 feet and a structural height of 22 feet. With a storage capacity of 21 acre-feet, the dam spans 300 feet in length and covers a surface area of 2.4 acres. Situated on the Catawba Creek-Tr, the dam is regulated by the North Carolina Dam Safety Program and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its fair condition and high hazard potential are effectively managed.
The dam, managed by private owners, plays a crucial role in providing recreational opportunities in the area while also ensuring the safety of the surrounding community. Its location within Gaston County, in close proximity to the city of Gastonia, makes it a key feature in the local landscape. With a drainage area of 51 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 38 cubic feet per second, the dam serves as a vital component in the water resource management of the region. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam's fair condition and consistent regulatory oversight contribute to its continued functionality and safety.
As one of the prominent structures in the Wilmington District, Leigh Lake Dam serves as a testament to the importance of private ownership in water resource management. With its recreational focus and adherence to state regulations, the dam exemplifies the balance between human enjoyment and environmental responsibility. Its maintenance and inspection schedules, coupled with its emergency action plan preparedness, ensure that the dam continues to provide benefits to the community while mitigating potential risks. In the context of climate change and increasing water scarcity, Leigh Lake Dam stands as a symbol of resilience and adaptability in the face of evolving environmental 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 Leigh Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Catawba River At Lowell | 187 cfs | → |
| Long Creek Near Bessemer City | 4 cfs | → |
| Beaverdam Creek Ab Windy Gap Road Nr Shopton | 0 cfs | → |
| Paw Cr At Wilkinson Blvd Nr Charlotte | 7 cfs | → |
| Long Creek Nr Rhyne | 10 cfs | → |
| Taggart Creek At West Boulevard Nr Charlotte | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Leigh Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Wilkinson Boulevard Belmont
- Copperhead Island Mecklenburg County
- Soldier Road 15299, Mecklenburg County
- East Charlotte Avenue Downtown
- Riverbend Boat Ramp
- Boatshore Road York County
Campgrounds
- Mcdowell Nature Preserve
- Kings Mountain State Park
- Hounds Gateway Campground
- Ebenezer County Park
- Garner Creek
- Garner Creek Backcountry Campsite
Track Leigh 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 Leigh Lake Dam
Where does the data for Leigh 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 Leigh Lake Dam.