Circle M Ranch Upper Dam dam
Circle M Ranch Upper Dam
Circle M Ranch Upper Dam, located in Stokes, North Carolina, serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, and small fish pond management. This private earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 17 feet and a structural height of 25 feet, with a length of 200 feet and a storage capacity of 18 acre-feet. Situated along Snow Creek-Tr, this dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and ensuring water availability for various activities in the region.
Despite its low hazard potential, Circle M Ranch Upper Dam has not been rated for its condition assessment as of the last inspection in January 2015. The dam boasts a spillway width and number of locks of zero, indicating a simpler design compared to larger structures. While it has not undergone modifications in recent years, the dam's capacity to hold water and regulate discharge up to 935 cubic feet per second remains essential for water resource management in the area.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Circle M Ranch Upper Dam to be a fascinating example of a privately owned structure contributing to local water management efforts. With its strategic location in Ceramic, North Carolina, and connections to the Huntington District, this dam underscores the importance of smaller-scale infrastructure in maintaining water security and supporting various ecological and human activities dependent on reliable water sources.
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 Circle M Ranch Upper Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Mayo River Near Nettleridge | 36 cfs | → |
| Dan R At Pine Hall | 154 cfs | → |
| Dan River Near Francisco | 61 cfs | → |
| Mayo River Near Price | 119 cfs | → |
| North Mayo River Near Spencer | 37 cfs | → |
| Dan River Near Wentworth | 309 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Circle M Ranch Upper Dam.
Boat launches
- Pine Hall Road 2547-2793, Walnut Cove
- Us Bus 220 Boat Access Stoneville
- Belews Lake Drive 8191, Belews Creek
- Bethlehem Church Road 587, Eden
- South Fieldcrest Road Draper Village
Campgrounds
- Sunset Park Campground
- Hanging Rock State Park
- Ymca Camp Hanes
- Pilot Mountain State Park
- Fairy Stone State Park
- Goose Point - Philpott Lake
Fishing spots
Track Circle M Ranch Upper 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 Circle M Ranch Upper Dam
Where does the data for Circle M Ranch Upper 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 Circle M Ranch Upper Dam.