Cox Dam dam
Cox Dam
Cox Dam, located in Gaston, North Carolina, is a privately owned Earth dam constructed in 1952 for recreational purposes. It stands at a structural height of 14.7 feet with a hydraulic height of 11.5 feet, impounding Dutchmans Creek-Tr to create a surface area of 6 acres. The dam has a storage capacity of 37 acre-feet and a maximum discharge rate, though specific details on dam volume and drainage area are not provided.
Despite its recreational primary purpose, Cox Dam is classified as having a high hazard potential with a fair condition assessment as of the last inspection in January 2021. The dam is regulated by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program, which oversees state permitting, inspection, and enforcement. With a designated emergency action plan frequency of every two years, Cox Dam is closely monitored to ensure public safety in case of any potential risks or incidents. Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the intersection of recreational infrastructure and dam safety may find Cox Dam a compelling case study in the complexities of managing and maintaining water resources for both human enjoyment and environmental protection.
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 Cox Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Killian Creek Near Mariposa | 9 cfs | → |
| Long Creek Nr Rhyne | 10 cfs | → |
| Mcdowell Creek Nr Charlotte | 1 cfs | → |
| Long Creek Near Paw Creek | 2 cfs | → |
| Gar Creek At Sr2074 Nr Croft | · | → |
| South Fork Catawba River At Lowell | 187 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cox Dam.
Boat launches
- Riverbend Boat Ramp
- Neck Road 5744, Huntersville
- East Charlotte Avenue Downtown
- Nc 73 Mecklenburg County
- Shipley Lane Lincoln County
- Seipel Drive 8335, Denver
Campgrounds
- Mcdowell Nature Preserve
- Shepherds Field
- Hounds Gateway Campground
- Kings Mountain State Park
- Ebenezer County Park
- Sign Language
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Cox 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 Cox Dam
Where does the data for Cox 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 Cox Dam.