Altapass Dam dam
Altapass Dam
Altapass Dam, located in Mitchell County, North Carolina, is a private-owned structure primarily utilized for recreation purposes. The dam, situated on Rose Creek, has a hydraulic height of 18.5 feet and a structural height of 22.5 feet, with a storage capacity of 20 acre-feet. While the dam's purpose is predominantly for recreation, it also serves as a vital component in the local water resource management, offering a serene environment for water and climate enthusiasts to enjoy.
Despite its significant role in providing recreational opportunities and contributing to local water management, Altapass Dam has been classified as having a high hazard potential. The dam, with its 311-foot length and 2-acre surface area, requires regular inspections to ensure its safety and stability. The last inspection was conducted in March 2011, indicating the need for ongoing monitoring and risk management measures to address any potential hazards and maintain the dam's structural integrity.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts explore the picturesque surroundings of Altapass Dam in Grassy Creek, they can appreciate the balance between recreational activities and the crucial role the dam plays in the local ecosystem. With its scenic location and the peaceful waters of Rose Creek, Altapass Dam stands as a testament to the intersection of human engineering and environmental stewardship in the beautiful landscape of Mitchell County, 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 Altapass Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Linville River Near Nebo | 26 cfs | → |
| South Toe River Near Celo | 42 cfs | → |
| Catawba R Nr Pleasant Gardens | 59 cfs | → |
| Johns River At Arneys Store | 90 cfs | → |
| North Fork Swannanoa River Near Walkertown | 9 cfs | → |
| Yadkin River At Patterson | 15 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Altapass Dam.
Boat launches
- Linville Boat Ramp
- Canal Bridge Boat Ramp Burke County
- Houseboat Lane 299, Mcdowell County
- Hidden Cove Boat Ramp Mcdowell County
- Price Lake Trail Watauga County
- Mitchell County
Campgrounds
- Linville Falls
- Linville Falls - Blue Ridge Parkway
- Linville Falls Campground
- Paddy Creek Campground
- Buck Hill Campground
- Crabtree Falls Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Blue Ridge Parkway Boundary To Linville Gorge Boundary
- Linville Gorge Wilderness Boundary To Southern End Of Wilderness
- Headwaters Above Linville Gap To Blue Ridge Parkway Boundary
- Linville Wilderness Boundary To Lake James
- Boundary Between Mitchell And Yancy Counties To Nc/Tn Stateline
- Watauga Reservoir To Tn/Nc State Line
Track Altapass 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 Altapass Dam
Where does the data for Altapass 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 Altapass Dam.