Keith Carver Dam dam
Keith Carver Dam
Keith Carver Dam, located in Rutherfordton, North Carolina, is a private-owned structure built in 1990 primarily for recreation purposes. The dam, standing at a structural height of 29 feet and a hydraulic height of 25 feet, impounds Mountain Creek-Tr and has a storage capacity of 30 acre-feet. With a low hazard potential and deemed to be in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in 2013, the dam serves as a vital resource for water-based recreational activities in the area.
The dam, managed by the Nashville District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, covers a surface area of 2.5 acres and is situated within a drainage area of 128 square miles. Despite lacking a spillway type and outlet gates, the dam has not undergone significant modifications since its completion and has not been regulated by the state. The surrounding area offers a picturesque setting for outdoor enthusiasts, with the dam providing a tranquil escape for visitors seeking to engage in various water-based activities.
Overall, Keith Carver Dam stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence between human development and natural landscapes. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the responsible management and maintenance of structures like Keith Carver Dam are crucial to ensure the safety of nearby communities and the preservation of the surrounding environment. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate resilience can appreciate the role that dams like Keith Carver play in balancing human needs with the conservation of natural ecosystems.
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 Keith Carver Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cove Creek Near Lake Lure | 33 cfs | → |
| Second Broad River Nr Logan | 31 cfs | → |
| Catawba R Nr Pleasant Gardens | 50 cfs | → |
| First Broad River Near Casar | 19 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 Keith Carver Dam.
Boat launches
- Memorial Highway 2693, Lake Lure
- Houseboat Lane 299, Mcdowell County
- Anchor Park
- Hidden Cove Boat Ramp Mcdowell County
- Canal Bridge Boat Ramp Burke County
- Sandy Ford Road 1925, Chesnee
Campgrounds
- River Creek Camp Ground
- Vein Mountain Gold Camp & Carolina Emerald Mine
- Lucky Strike Campground
- Catawba Falls Campground, Llc
- Creekside Mountain Camping
- Mad Mama's River Run Campground
Fishing spots
- Asheville Recreation Park Lake
- Bailey Branch
- Anderson Branch
- Big Pine Creek
- Nolichucky River
- Benfield Creek
Paddle runs
- Linville Wilderness Boundary To Lake James
- Linville Gorge Wilderness Boundary To Southern End Of Wilderness
- 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
Track Keith Carver 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 Keith Carver Dam
Where does the data for Keith Carver 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 Keith Carver Dam.