Windrow Dam dam
Windrow Dam
Windrow Dam, located in Matthews, North Carolina, is a private-owned structure regulated by the NC Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program. The dam, situated on the Crooked Creek-Tr river system, is primarily used for recreational purposes and has a hydraulic height of 19 feet and a structural height of 22 feet. With a storage capacity of 17 acre-feet, the dam covers a surface area of 4.7 acres and serves a drainage area of 44.3 square miles.
Despite its satisfactory condition assessment as of January 2020, Windrow Dam is classified with a high hazard potential, highlighting the critical importance of regular inspections and maintenance. The dam has an inspection frequency of every two years, with emergency action plans being possibly outdated since September 2010. As an earth-type dam with no associated locks, Windrow Dam's risk management measures and inundation maps status remain unspecified, pointing to potential areas for further improvement to ensure the safety and integrity of this vital water resource in Mecklenburg County.
Given its strategic location and crucial role in water management, Windrow Dam presents an intriguing case study for water resource and climate enthusiasts. As the dam continues to serve as a recreational hub while facing potential hazards, the ongoing monitoring and maintenance efforts by regulatory agencies are essential to safeguarding both the dam's structural integrity and the surrounding community from any unforeseen risks or emergencies.
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 Windrow Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Irvins Creek At Sr3168 Nr Charlotte | 0 cfs | → |
| Mcalpine Creek At Sr3150 Nr Idlewild | 0 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek At Sr1525 Nr Indian Trail | 1 cfs | → |
| Campbell Creek Nr Charlotte | 0 cfs | → |
| Mcalpine Cr At Sardis Road Near Charlotte | 2 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek At Sr3181 Nr Mint Hill | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Windrow Dam.
Boat launches
- Catawba Nation Greenway Trail York County
- Piedmont Medical Center Trail York County
- Waterford Trail Rock Hill
- Soldier Road 15299, Mecklenburg County
- Copperhead Island Mecklenburg County
- New Gray Rock Road Tega Cay
Campgrounds
- Sign Language
- Williams Farm
- Mcdowell Nature Preserve
- Cane Creek Park
- Andrew Jackson State Park
- Ebenezer County Park
Fishing spots
- Buck Branch
- Mountain Island Park Fishing Access
- Arrowhead Lake
- Badin Lake Lakemont Rd
- Abbotts Creek
- Blewett Falls Lake Grassy Island
Track Windrow 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 Windrow Dam
Where does the data for Windrow 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 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 Windrow Dam.