George Sells Dam dam
George Sells Dam
George Sells Dam, located in Albemarle, North Carolina, is a private structure regulated by the NC Department of Environmental Quality Dam Safety Program. With a primary purpose of recreation, this earth dam on Long Creek-Tr offers a serene 4.5-acre surface area for water enthusiasts to enjoy. Standing at a hydraulic height of 14 feet and a structural height of 16.2 feet, the dam provides a maximum storage capacity of 29 acre-feet for the surrounding area.
Despite its fair condition assessment as of January 2020, George Sells Dam poses a high hazard potential due to its location and design. Regular inspections occur every two years to ensure its safety and functionality. While the dam hasn't undergone any significant modifications since its construction, it remains a critical water resource for the community. With a drainage area of 34 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow and providing recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, George Sells Dam serves as both a recreational destination and a vital infrastructure piece in Stanly County. With its state-regulated status and high hazard potential, the dam stands as a reminder of the importance of proper maintenance and inspection protocols for earth structures. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the role of dams like George Sells in managing water flow and providing leisure activities becomes increasingly significant.
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 George Sells Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky R Ab Irish Buffalo Cr Nr Rocky River | 45 cfs | → |
| Rocky River Nr Stanfield | 173 cfs | → |
| Rocky River Near Norwood | 117 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek At Sr3181 Nr Mint Hill | 2 cfs | → |
| Abbotts Creek At Lexington | 32 cfs | → |
| Second Creek Near Barber | 18 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near George Sells Dam.
Boat launches
- Old Whitney Boat Ramp
- Marina Drive 298, Montgomery County
- Badin Lake Boat Ramp
- Wildlife Rec Area Access Road 899, Davidson County
- Falls Road Stanly County
- Cove Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Badin Lake Capmground Upper Loop
- Badin Lake
- Badin Lake Campground
- Morrow Mountain State Park
- Deep Water Trailt Horse Camp
- Arrowhead
Fishing spots
- Abbotts Creek
- Badin Lake Lakemont Rd
- Buddle Branch
- Arrowhead Lake
- Blewett Falls Lake Grassy Island
- Buck Branch
Track George Sells 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 George Sells Dam
Where does the data for George Sells 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 George Sells Dam.