Yelton Dam dam
Yelton Dam
Yelton Dam, situated in Bostic, North Carolina, is a privately owned structure that serves as a vital resource for recreational activities in the area. With a hydraulic height of 43 feet and a structural height of 72 feet, this earth dam boasts a significant hazard potential but is currently assessed to be in fair condition as of February 2021. The dam has a storage capacity of 90 acre-feet, providing ample opportunities for water-based recreation in its 2.5-acre surface area.
Managed by the North Carolina Dam Safety Program, Yelton Dam is subject to regular inspections, enforcement, and permitting by state regulatory agencies to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. The dam's primary purpose is recreation, catering to enthusiasts of water sports, fishing, and leisure activities. Despite its significant hazard potential, the dam is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts seeking to enjoy the beauty of Cathey's Creek-Tr and the surrounding natural environment.
Yelton Dam's location in Rutherford County, North Carolina, under the Nashville District, offers a picturesque setting for visitors to appreciate the intersection of water resources and climate. As a key feature in the region, the dam provides not only recreational opportunities but also serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible water resource management in the face of changing climate conditions. With its impressive height and storage capacity, Yelton Dam stands as a symbol of sustainability and enjoyment for water resource and climate enthusiasts alike.
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 Yelton Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Second Broad River Nr Logan | 31 cfs | → |
| Cove Creek Near Lake Lure | 33 cfs | → |
| First Broad River Near Casar | 19 cfs | → |
| Broad River Near Boiling Springs | 392 cfs | → |
| North Pacolet River At Fingerville | 51 cfs | → |
| Pacolet River Near Fingerville | 81 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Yelton Dam.
Boat launches
- Memorial Highway 2693, Lake Lure
- First Broad River Trail Shelby
- Anchor Park
- Sandy Ford Road 1925, Chesnee
- Houseboat Lane 299, Mcdowell County
- Hidden Cove Boat Ramp Mcdowell County
Campgrounds
- Vein Mountain Gold Camp & Carolina Emerald Mine
- Lucky Strike Campground
- River Creek Camp Ground
- Murray Branch Campground
- Fox Trail Campground
- Upper Falls Campground
Fishing spots
- Asheville Recreation Park Lake
- Benfield Creek
- Mountain Island Park Fishing Access
- Bailey Branch
- Johns Creek Lake
- Sedalia Lake
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
- 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
Track Yelton 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 Yelton Dam
Where does the data for Yelton 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 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 Yelton Dam.