Schmehl Dam dam
Schmehl Dam
Schmehl Dam, located on the Tuckaseegee River in Ela, North Carolina, is a privately owned structure primarily used for recreational purposes. Standing at a structural height of 35 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 14 acre-feet and is regulated by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program. Despite its importance for recreation, the dam has a high hazard potential and is currently assessed to be in poor condition as of its last inspection in April 2016.
The dam's maintenance and safety are crucial considerations given its high hazard potential and the potential risks associated with its condition. With the dam being privately owned, it is essential for the owner to address any issues and comply with state regulatory agencies to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and the integrity of the structure. Regular inspections and adherence to safety guidelines are necessary to mitigate any potential risks and ensure the proper functioning of the dam in the event of an emergency.
As a significant feature on the Tuckaseegee River, Schmehl Dam plays a vital role in providing recreational opportunities in the area. However, its current condition and hazard potential highlight the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety and sustainability of the dam for both recreational users and the local environment. Collaboration between the private owner, state regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders is essential to address any safety concerns and implement necessary risk management measures to protect the dam and surrounding areas.
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 Schmehl Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Oconaluftee River At Birdtown | 219 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Bryson City | 571 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Barker's Creek | 206 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee River At Needmore | 445 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Nr Cullowhee | 75 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee R At Franklin | 1,050 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Schmehl Dam.
Boat launches
- Church Street Jackson County
- Great Smoky Mountains Expressway 5453, Jackson County
- Cable Cove Road, Fontana Dam
- Cable Cove Road Graham County
- North Lakeshore Drive 103, Haywood County
- Fontana Road 12574, Robbinsville
Campgrounds
- Fort Wilderness Rv Park And Campground
- Deep Creek Campground
- Deep Creek - Great Smoky Mountains
- Deep Creek Group Camp
- 51
- #51 George's Branch
Fishing spots
- Bear Creek Lake
- Birchfield Branch
- Augerhole Branch
- Massey Branch Fishing Pier
- Santeetlah Lake
- Hickory Nut Cove Trout Farm
Paddle runs
- Natahala Powerhouse To Lake Fontana (River Mile 4)
- Headwaters In Standing Indian Basin To Slackwater Of Natahala Lake
- Yellowstone Prong From Headwaters To Confluence With East Fork And Yellowstone Prong
- Polecat Branch To Snowbird Picnic Area
- Dark Prong From Headwaters To Confluence East Fork And Yellowstone Prong
- East Fork From Us Highway 276 To Confluence Of Dark Prong And Yellowstone Prong
More reservoirs
Track Schmehl 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 Schmehl Dam
Where does the data for Schmehl 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 Schmehl Dam.