Owen Dam dam
Owen Dam
Owen Dam, located in Caroleen, North Carolina, is a privately owned structure primarily used for recreation along the 2nd Broad River-Tr. With a structural height of 29.4 feet and a hydraulic height of 23 feet, Owen Dam provides a storage capacity of 20 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 1.5 acres. Despite not being regulated by the state, the dam has been inspected and deemed to have a significant hazard potential but is currently in satisfactory condition as of its last assessment in March 2013.
The dam, constructed as an earth-type structure, was completed in a year that is not specified in the available data. While the dam does not have a spillway or outlet gates, it does not hold any locks and has not been significantly modified over the years. Even though the dam is not under the jurisdiction of federal agencies, it falls under the Nashville District of the US Army Corps of Engineers. Notably, the dam's emergency action plan status, risk assessment, and risk management measures are not detailed in the provided information.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in Owen Dam can appreciate its role in providing recreational opportunities in the area while acknowledging the importance of regular inspections to ensure public safety. The dam's location along the 2nd Broad River-Tr contributes to the local water ecosystem and demonstrates the integration of human-made structures with natural waterways. As a privately owned and operated facility, Owen Dam serves as a reminder of the diverse landscape of water resource management in North Carolina, showcasing both the benefits and risks associated with dam infrastructure.
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 Owen Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Second Broad River Nr Logan | 194 cfs | → |
| Broad River Near Boiling Springs | 2,200 cfs | → |
| First Broad River Near Casar | 119 cfs | → |
| Pacolet River Near Fingerville | 100 cfs | → |
| North Pacolet River At Fingerville | 251 cfs | → |
| Cove Creek Near Lake Lure | 240 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Owen Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Owen Dam
Where does the data for Owen 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 below 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.
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.