Westgate Plaza Dam dam
Westgate Plaza Dam
Westgate Plaza Dam, located in Macon County, North Carolina, serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the Cartoogechaye Creek-Tr. Built in 1988, this earth dam stands at a structural height of 18 feet and has a storage capacity of 15 acre-feet. The dam is privately owned and regulated by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEMLR) Dam Safety Program, ensuring regular inspections and enforcement of safety measures.
With a significant hazard potential and a fair condition assessment as of January 2017, Westgate Plaza Dam plays a crucial role in mitigating flood risks in the Franklin area. The dam is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement, highlighting the commitment to maintaining its structural integrity and ensuring public safety. Despite the lack of specific details on the spillway type and other technical aspects, the dam continues to fulfill its purpose effectively and serves as a vital infrastructure for water resource management in the region.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Westgate Plaza Dam offers an intriguing case study in dam infrastructure and management. Its location, design, and regulatory oversight provide valuable insights into the challenges and importance of maintaining critical water infrastructure in the face of changing climate patterns. The dam's presence not only safeguards the local community from flood risks but also underscores the need for sustainable water resource management practices in the region.
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 Westgate Plaza 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 | 174 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee R At Franklin | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Nantahala River Near Rainbow Springs | 121 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee River At Needmore | 463 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Barker's Creek | 290 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Westgate Plaza Dam.
Boat launches
- Great Smoky Mountains Expressway 5453, Jackson County
- Church Street Jackson County
- Canada Road 14091, Tuckasegee
- Jackrabbit Boating Access
- Music Hall Road Towns County
- Lake Chatuge Towns County
Campgrounds
- Moore Creek Camp
- Standing Indian Campground
- Standing Indian Campground Store
- Standing Indian
- Hurricane Creek Horse & Primitive Campground
- Kimsey Creek Group Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters In Standing Indian Basin To Slackwater Of Natahala Lake
- Natahala Powerhouse To Lake Fontana (River Mile 4)
- Ga/Nc State Line To 2 Miles Downriver
- Burrels Ford To Lick Log Branch (Section 1)
- 1/4 Mile Below Walhalla Fish Hatchery To Boundary Of Chattooga Wsr
- Highway 28 To Earl's Ford (Section 2)
Track Westgate Plaza 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 Westgate Plaza Dam
Where does the data for Westgate Plaza 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 Westgate Plaza Dam.