Thompson Dam dam
Thompson Dam
Thompson Dam, located in Beulah, North Carolina, is a private recreational dam that provides a serene getaway for water resource and climate enthusiasts. With a hydraulic height of 20 feet and a structural height of 25 feet, this earth dam stands at 240 feet in length and holds a storage capacity of 30 acre-feet. The dam sits on the UT to Canal Creek (c) waterway and is managed by the Nashville District of the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment as of 2013, Thompson Dam serves as a vital source of leisure and relaxation for locals and visitors alike. The dam boasts a maximum discharge capacity of 350 cubic feet per second and offers a surface area of 3 acres for recreational activities. With its tranquil surroundings and picturesque views, Thompson Dam is a popular destination for fishing, boating, and enjoying the natural beauty of Polk County, North Carolina.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate Thompson Dam not only for its recreational opportunities but also for its role in maintaining the ecological balance of the surrounding area. By providing a controlled water source for the UT to Canal Creek (c) waterway, this dam contributes to the preservation of local ecosystems and wildlife habitats. As a privately owned structure, Thompson Dam represents a harmonious blend of human recreation and environmental conservation, making it a valuable asset for those who value sustainable water resource management and climate-conscious practices.
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 Thompson Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cove Creek Near Lake Lure | 33 cfs | → |
| South Pacolet River Nr Campobello | 19 cfs | → |
| North Pacolet River At Fingerville | 51 cfs | → |
| Pacolet River Near Fingerville | 81 cfs | → |
| Second Broad River Nr Logan | 31 cfs | → |
| Middle Tyger River Near Gramling | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Thompson Dam.
Boat launches
- Memorial Highway 2693, Lake Lure
- Anchor Park
- Sandy Ford Road 1925, Chesnee
- J. Verne Smith Park (Lake Robinson)
- Hooper Lane Mills River
- Berry Shoals Road 370, Spartanburg County
Campgrounds
- River Creek Camp Ground
- Creekside Mountain Camping
- Vein Mountain Gold Camp & Carolina Emerald Mine
- Lucky Strike Campground
- Catawba Falls Campground, Llc
- Pleasant Ridge County Park
Fishing spots
- Asheville Recreation Park Lake
- Bailey Branch
- Anderson Branch
- Big Pine Creek
- Bear Creek Lake
- Johns Creek Lake
Paddle runs
- Mills River From Confluence Of North/South Forks To Confluence With Foster Creek
- North Fork From Bottom Of Spillway Of Hendersonville Reservoir To Confluence With South Fork
- Nf Boundary To Confluence With North Fork
- South Fork From Confluence With Pigeon Br To Nf Boundary
- Linville Wilderness Boundary To Lake James
- East Fork From Us Highway 276 To Confluence Of Dark Prong And Yellowstone Prong
Track Thompson 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 Thompson Dam
Where does the data for Thompson 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 Low 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 Thompson Dam.