Mission Ready Dam dam
Mission Ready Dam
Mission Ready Dam, located in Graham, North Carolina, is a privately owned structure regulated by the NCDEQ Dam Safety Program. With a primary purpose of recreation, this Earth-type dam on Flat Branch has a structural height of 76 feet and a storage capacity of 250 acre-feet. Despite being assessed as in fair condition during the last inspection in November 2018, the dam poses a high hazard potential, warranting a biennial inspection frequency to ensure its safety and functionality.
Owned and operated by a private entity, Mission Ready Dam serves as a recreational hub in the area, offering opportunities for water-based activities and enjoyment. The dam's proximity to the Nashville District adds to its significance in the region, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore its features and impact on the surrounding environment. While the dam has not undergone significant modifications since its completion, ongoing regulatory oversight and enforcement by state agencies ensure its compliance with safety standards and regulations.
As a key feature on Flat Branch, Mission Ready Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience in Graham, North Carolina. With a focus on recreation, the dam provides valuable storage capacity and flood control measures, contributing to the overall environmental and recreational landscape of the area. Continuous monitoring and maintenance efforts, alongside emergency preparedness measures, are essential to mitigate the high hazard potential associated with the dam and ensure its long-term sustainability for the benefit of the community and the environment.
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 Mission Ready Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Valley River At Tomotla | 85 cfs | → |
| Cheoah River Nr Bearpen Gap Nr Tapoco | 130 cfs | → |
| Nantahala River Near Rainbow Springs | 96 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee River At Needmore | 364 cfs | → |
| Tellico River At Tellico Plains | 83 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Bryson City | 505 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mission Ready Dam.
Boat launches
- Massey Branch Road 1184, Robbinsville
- Joyce Kilmer Road 1920, Robbinsville
- Joyce Kilmer Road 1986, Graham County
- Meadow Branch Road Graham County
- Fontana Road 12574, Robbinsville
- Highway 28, Fontana Dam
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Massey Branch Fishing Pier
- Santeetlah Lake
- Augerhole Branch
- Birchfield Branch
- Indian Boundary Lake
- Citico Creek
Paddle runs
- Owlcamp Branch To Polecat Branch
- Polecat Branch To Snowbird Picnic Area
- Headwaters Near Mitchell Lick To Owlcamp Branch
- Headwaters Near Graham County Line To Nc/Tn State Line
- Headwaters In Standing Indian Basin To Slackwater Of Natahala Lake
- Natahala Powerhouse To Lake Fontana (River Mile 4)
Track Mission Ready 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 Mission Ready Dam
Where does the data for Mission Ready 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 Mission Ready Dam.