Muddy Creek Dam #3 (Lemon Tree) dam
Muddy Creek Dam #3 (Lemon Tree)
Muddy Creek Dam #3, also known as Lemon Tree, is a key infrastructure in Morganton, North Carolina, serving as a vital flood risk reduction measure along Hicks Branch. Owned by the local government and regulated by the NC Department of Environmental Quality, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 26.5 feet and a structural height of 35.5 feet. With a normal storage capacity of 72 acre-feet and a hazard potential rated as high, the dam plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events.
Constructed by the USDA NRCS, Muddy Creek Dam #3 is primarily designated for flood risk reduction purposes but also offers recreational opportunities for the community. The dam's uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates help manage water flow during high volume events, with a maximum storage capacity of 240 acre-feet. Despite its satisfactory condition assessment as of April 2018, the dam remains subject to regular inspections every two years to ensure its continued safety and functionality, with emergency action plans in place to address any potential risks.
Overall, Muddy Creek Dam #3 (Lemon Tree) stands as a crucial piece of infrastructure in McDowell County, playing a pivotal role in safeguarding the local area from flood risks. With its high hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the dam's design and construction by the Natural Resources Conservation Service reflect a commitment to water resource management and climate resilience. As climate change continues to impact the region, the ongoing maintenance and monitoring of this dam will be essential to ensure the safety and well-being of the community it serves.
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 Muddy Creek Dam #3 (Lemon Tree) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Catawba R Nr Pleasant Gardens | 118 cfs | → |
| Linville River Near Nebo | 95 cfs | → |
| Cove Creek Near Lake Lure | 76 cfs | → |
| Second Broad River Nr Logan | 69 cfs | → |
| South Toe River Near Celo | 81 cfs | → |
| North Fork Swannanoa River Near Walkertown | 32 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Muddy Creek Dam #3 (Lemon Tree).
Boat launches
- Houseboat Lane 299, Mcdowell County
- Hidden Cove Boat Ramp Mcdowell County
- Canal Bridge Boat Ramp Burke County
- Linville Boat Ramp
- Memorial Highway 2693, Lake Lure
Campgrounds
- Mad Mama's River Run Campground
- Lucky Strike Campground
- Vein Mountain Gold Camp & Carolina Emerald Mine
- Lake James State Park
- Paddy Creek Campground
- Curtis Creek
Fishing spots
- Asheville Recreation Park Lake
- Nolichucky River
- Bailey Branch
- Anderson Branch
- Big Pine Creek
- Benfield Creek
Paddle runs
- Linville Wilderness Boundary To Lake James
- Linville Gorge Wilderness Boundary To Southern End Of Wilderness
- Blue Ridge Parkway Boundary To Linville Gorge Boundary
- Headwaters Above Linville Gap To Blue Ridge Parkway Boundary
- Boundary Between Mitchell And Yancy Counties To Nc/Tn Stateline
- Mills River From Confluence Of North/South Forks To Confluence With Foster Creek
Track Muddy Creek Dam #3 (Lemon Tree) 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 Muddy Creek Dam #3 (Lemon Tree)
Where does the data for Muddy Creek Dam #3 (Lemon Tree) 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 Muddy Creek Dam #3 (Lemon Tree).