Tobacco Branch Dam Dam
Tobacco Branch Dam
Tobacco Branch Dam, also known as Mitchell Dam, is a private dam located in Bryson City, North Carolina. The dam is regulated by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program and is designed by the USDA NRCS. Its primary purpose is for recreation, with a hydraulic height of 16.2 feet and a structural height of 22.2 feet, creating a reservoir with a normal storage capacity of 15 acre-feet.
With a hazard potential rated as high and a condition assessment deemed fair as of November 2018, the dam poses a moderate risk that is being managed through appropriate measures. The dam has an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, with a maximum discharge capacity of 2,106 cubic feet per second. The surrounding area has a drainage area of 434 square miles, making it essential for water resource and climate enthusiasts to monitor its risk and condition closely.
Overall, Tobacco Branch Dam serves as a vital recreational structure in Graham County, North Carolina, offering opportunities for outdoor activities and water-based leisure. Its location on the Tobacco Branch stream adds to its ecological significance, and ongoing inspections and risk assessments help ensure the safety of the surrounding community and environment. For enthusiasts interested in water resource management and climate resilience, Tobacco Branch Dam presents a compelling case study in balancing recreational benefits with the need for careful dam operation and maintenance.
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 Tobacco Branch Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Tennessee River At Needmore | 498 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Bryson City | 927 cfs | → |
| Cheoah River Nr Bearpen Gap Nr Tapoco | 115 cfs | → |
| Oconaluftee River At Birdtown | 327 cfs | → |
| Nantahala River Near Rainbow Springs | 134 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Barker's Creek | 345 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Tobacco Branch Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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More reservoirs
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About Tobacco Branch Dam
Where does the data for Tobacco Branch 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 below 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.
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.