W. S. Jones Lake dam
W. S. Jones Lake
W. S. Jones Lake, located in Macon, North Carolina, is a privately owned reservoir that serves as a recreational hotspot in the area. The dam, completed in 1963, stands at a height of 23 feet and has a hydraulic height of 20.5 feet, providing a storage capacity of 14 acre-feet. With a surface area of 1.5 acres and a drainage area of 620 acres, the lake offers a serene escape for water resource and climate enthusiasts to appreciate the beauty of North Carolina's natural landscapes.
Despite its recreational allure, W. S. Jones Lake poses a high hazard potential due to its poor condition as assessed in 2015. The dam is regulated by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program, ensuring its state jurisdiction, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. The dam's proximity to the North Prong Elijay Creek adds to its appeal, providing a picturesque backdrop for visitors to enjoy various water activities while also highlighting the vital role of sustainable water resource management in the region.
As water and climate enthusiasts explore the wonders of W. S. Jones Lake, they can appreciate the efforts of the local regulatory agencies in maintaining the dam's safety and integrity. The surrounding Macon County, with Franklin as its city center, benefits from the recreational and environmental value that the lake brings to the community. With ongoing inspections and regulatory measures in place, W. S. Jones Lake stands as a testament to responsible water resource management amidst the ever-changing climate challenges facing North Carolina.
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 W. S. Jones Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Tennessee R At Franklin | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Nr Cullowhee | 49 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee River Near Prentiss | 174 cfs | → |
| Cartoogechaye Creek Near Franklin | 261 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Barker's Creek | 290 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee River At Needmore | 463 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near W. S. Jones Lake.
Boat launches
- Great Smoky Mountains Expressway 5453, Jackson County
- Canada Road 14091, Tuckasegee
- Church Street Jackson County
- Devils Fork Road Oconee County
- White Oak Hill Road Oconee County
- North Lakeshore Drive 103, Haywood County
Campgrounds
- Ralph Andrews County Park
- Van Hook Glade Campground
- Van Hook Glade
- Blue Valley Camp
- Blue Valley Dispersed Camping
- Fort Wilderness Rv Park And Campground
Fishing spots
- Bear Creek Lake
- Hickory Nut Cove Trout Farm
- Presbyterian Lake
- Lake Burton
- Lake Rabun
- Massey Branch Fishing Pier
Paddle runs
- Ga/Nc State Line To 2 Miles Downriver
- 1/4 Mile Below Walhalla Fish Hatchery To Boundary Of Chattooga Wsr
- Burrels Ford To Lick Log Branch (Section 1)
- Headwaters To Sloan's Bridge Crossing, Crossing Of Sc 107
- 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
Track W. S. Jones Lake 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 W. S. Jones Lake
Where does the data for W. S. Jones Lake 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 W. S. Jones Lake.