Southard Dam dam
Southard Dam
Southard Dam, located in Macon, North Carolina, is a private recreational structure along the Allison Creek-Tr river. Standing at a structural height of 30 feet with a hydraulic height of 25 feet, the dam boasts a maximum storage capacity of 20 acre-feet and a normal storage of 18 acre-feet. It covers a surface area of 1.5 acres and serves a drainage area of 595 square miles.
With significant hazard potential and a fair condition assessment as of July 2016, Southard Dam plays a crucial role in the local water resource management. Despite not being state-regulated, the dam is subject to regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam has not undergone any modifications over the years and does not have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place, signaling the need for continued monitoring and risk management measures.
As a key site for recreation in the area, Southard Dam provides not only water storage but also opportunities for outdoor activities and leisure. Its presence enhances the natural surroundings and contributes to the local ecosystem while also serving as a vital piece of infrastructure for water supply and management in Macon, 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 Southard Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cartoogechaye Creek Near Franklin | 261 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee River Near Prentiss | 169 cfs | → |
| Nantahala River Near Rainbow Springs | 119 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee R At Franklin | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Tallulah River Near Clayton | 72 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee River At Needmore | 445 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Southard Dam.
Boat launches
- Jackrabbit Boating Access
- Music Hall Road Towns County
- Lake Chatuge Towns County
- Great Smoky Mountains Expressway 5453, Jackson County
- Church Street Jackson County
- Lake Rabun Road Rabun County
Campgrounds
- Standing Indian Campground
- Standing Indian Campground Store
- Standing Indian
- Hurricane Creek Horse & Primitive Campground
- Kimsey Creek Group Campground
- Moore Creek Camp
Fishing spots
- Hickory Nut Cove Trout Farm
- Lake Burton
- Seed Lake
- Lake Rabun
- Tallulah Falls Lake
- Massey Branch Fishing Pier
Paddle runs
- Headwaters In Standing Indian Basin To Slackwater Of Natahala Lake
- Ga/Nc State Line To 2 Miles Downriver
- Natahala Powerhouse To Lake Fontana (River Mile 4)
- Earl's Ford To Route 76 (Section 3)
- Highway 28 To Earl's Ford (Section 2)
- Burrels Ford To Lick Log Branch (Section 1)
Track Southard 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 Southard Dam
Where does the data for Southard 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 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 Southard Dam.