Brush Creek Lower Dam dam
Brush Creek Lower Dam
Brush Creek Lower Dam, located in Macon, North Carolina, is a private-owned structure regulated by the state's Dam Safety Program. Situated along Brush Creek, this concrete dam stands at a structural height of 10 feet and has a storage capacity of 215 acre-feet. Primarily built for recreational purposes, the dam spans 110 feet in length and covers an area of 8 acres. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment in 2015 rated it as fair.
The dam, managed by the Savannah District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, falls under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program. While the last inspection in 2015 deemed the structure to be in fair condition, its hazard potential is considered high, necessitating regular inspections every two years. Despite the lack of specific information on the dam's spillway type or outlet gates, its storage capacity, and recreational purpose make it a notable feature in the Cullasaja area.
With its scenic location along Brush Creek, Brush Creek Lower Dam serves as a vital recreational spot for residents and visitors in Macon County. While the dam's fair condition and high hazard potential warrant continued monitoring and maintenance, its role in providing recreational opportunities underscores the importance of balancing water resource management with public enjoyment of natural landscapes. As climate and water resource enthusiasts, keeping a close eye on the stewardship and regulation of structures like Brush Creek Lower Dam is essential for ensuring both safety and sustainability in our changing environment.
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 Brush Creek Lower Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Tennessee River Near Prentiss | 181 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee R At Franklin | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Cartoogechaye Creek Near Franklin | 261 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Nr Cullowhee | 70 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Barker's Creek | 416 cfs | → |
| Chattooga River Near Clayton | 229 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Brush Creek Lower 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 Brush Creek Lower Dam
Where does the data for Brush Creek Lower 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.