Hanks Dam dam
Hanks Dam
Hanks Dam, located in Bull Pen, North Carolina, along Fowler Creek, is a private recreational structure with a primary purpose of providing leisure activities for enthusiasts. Standing at a structural height of 24 feet and a hydraulic height of 21.5 feet, this concrete arch dam offers a serene surface area of 15 acres and a storage capacity of 125 acre-feet for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy. Despite its high hazard potential and poor condition assessment, the dam is regulated and inspected by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Dam Safety Program, ensuring the safety of its surrounding community.
With a history shrouded in mystery as its completion year remains unknown, Hanks Dam serves as a hidden gem in Jackson County, offering recreational opportunities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. While lacking outlet gates and spillway information, the dam has withstood the test of time, providing a peaceful oasis for visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature. In the hands of private ownership, Hanks Dam continues to uphold its promise of recreation while adhering to state regulations and inspection standards to maintain its integrity.
As water enthusiasts seek solace in the tranquility of Hanks Dam, it stands as a testament to human ingenuity and the beauty of its natural surroundings. Despite its age and maintenance challenges, the dam remains a beloved destination for outdoor activities and a reminder of the importance of responsible stewardship of our water resources. With its picturesque location and recreational offerings, Hanks Dam invites visitors to connect with nature and appreciate the role of dams in both water conservation and community enjoyment.
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 Hanks Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Nr Cullowhee | 75 cfs | → |
| French Broad River At Rosman | 56 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee River Near Prentiss | 138 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee R At Franklin | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Cartoogechaye Creek Near Franklin | 261 cfs | → |
| Chattooga River Near Clayton | 203 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hanks Dam.
Boat launches
- Canada Road 14091, Tuckasegee
- Devils Fork Road Oconee County
- White Oak Hill Road Oconee County
- Cabin Road 398, Pickens County
- Landing Road Oconee County
- Fall Creek Landing
Campgrounds
- Ralph Andrews County Park
- Bearcamp Creek Campsite
- Burrells Ford
- Van Hook Glade
- Van Hook Glade Campground
- Buck Fields
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Sloan's Bridge Crossing, Crossing Of Sc 107
- 1/4 Mile Below Walhalla Fish Hatchery To Boundary Of Chattooga Wsr
- 1/4 Mile Above The Walhalla Fish Hatchery To 1/4 Mile Below The Walhalla Fish Hatchery
- Sloan's Bridge Crossing To 1/4 Mile Above The Walhalla Fish Hatchery
- Burrels Ford To Lick Log Branch (Section 1)
- Ga/Nc State Line To 2 Miles Downriver
Track Hanks 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 Hanks Dam
Where does the data for Hanks 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 Hanks Dam.