Wheeler Dam dam
Wheeler Dam
Wheeler Dam, located in Mars Hill, North Carolina, stands as a significant earth dam with a hydraulic height of 16 feet and a structural height of 25 feet. Its primary purpose is for recreation, offering a serene environment for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy. With a storage capacity of 15 acre-feet and a surface area of 1.5 acres, Wheeler Dam provides a tranquil spot for outdoor activities and relaxation.
Managed by a private owner, Wheeler Dam is regulated by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program, ensuring that the structure is inspected, permitted, and enforced according to state regulations. The dam's condition is assessed as fair, with a significant hazard potential, prompting a biennial inspection frequency to monitor its integrity. While details on the dam's construction year and modification history are not provided, its last inspection in January 2017 indicates a commitment to safety and maintenance.
Despite its modest dimensions, Wheeler Dam offers a valuable recreational resource in Madison, North Carolina, attracting visitors to its peaceful surroundings along Crooked Creek-Tr. As a well-maintained earth dam with state jurisdiction and regulatory oversight, it serves as a reliable spot for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a tranquil retreat in the heart of nature. Whether for fishing, boating, or simply enjoying the scenic views, Wheeler Dam provides a harmonious blend of water resources and climate elements for all to appreciate.
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 Wheeler Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ivy River Near Marshall | 56 cfs | → |
| French Broad River At Marshall | 802 cfs | → |
| North Fork Swannanoa River Near Walkertown | 9 cfs | → |
| Beetree Creek Near Swannanoa | 3 cfs | → |
| South Toe River Near Celo | 42 cfs | → |
| French Broad River At Asheville | 652 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wheeler Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Windy Gap - A Young Life Camp
- Spivey Gap Recreation Area
- Mount Mitchell State Park
- Camp Alice
- Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area
- Carolina Hemlocks
Fishing spots
- Bailey Branch
- Nolichucky River
- Anderson Branch
- Big Pine Creek
- Dillard Place
- Asheville Recreation Park Lake
Paddle runs
- Boundary Between Mitchell And Yancy Counties To Nc/Tn Stateline
- Tn/Nc State Line (Rm 100.6) To Mine Branch (Rm 99.3)
- Blue Ridge Parkway Boundary To Linville Gorge Boundary
- Headwaters Above Linville Gap To Blue Ridge Parkway Boundary
- Linville Gorge Wilderness Boundary To Southern End Of Wilderness
- Linville Wilderness Boundary To Lake James
Track Wheeler 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 Wheeler Dam
Where does the data for Wheeler 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 Wheeler Dam.