Willow Run Farm Dam dam
Willow Run Farm Dam
Willow Run Farm Dam, also known as Laurel Lane Farm Dam, is a private dam located in Henderson, North Carolina, specifically in the city of Horse Shoe. Built in 1978, this earth dam serves primarily for recreation purposes and is regulated by the North Carolina Dam Safety Program. With a hydraulic height of 13.4 feet and a structural height of 17 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 14 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 1.3 acres.
Situated along the French Broad River-Tr, Willow Run Farm Dam has a significant hazard potential but was deemed to be in satisfactory condition during its last inspection in April 2014. The dam's emergency action plan status and risk assessment are currently unknown, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure. While the dam does not have any associated locks or spillways, its location and design make it a valuable asset for local recreation and water resource management in the area.
As a private dam, Willow Run Farm Dam plays a crucial role in providing recreational opportunities for the community while also serving as a potential water storage and management resource. With its picturesque setting and close proximity to the French Broad River, the dam represents a unique intersection of human-made infrastructure and natural waterways, showcasing the importance of sustainable dam operation and maintenance practices in safeguarding both public safety and environmental health.
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 Willow Run Farm Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mills River Near Mills River | 73 cfs | → |
| French Broad River At Blantyre | 340 cfs | → |
| French Broad River Near Fletcher | 626 cfs | → |
| Davidson River Near Brevard | 49 cfs | → |
| Swannanoa River At Biltmore | 41 cfs | → |
| Middle Saluda River Near Cleveland | 20 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Willow Run Farm Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Willow Run Farm Dam
Where does the data for Willow Run Farm 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 Significant 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.