Indian Lake Lower Dam Dam
Indian Lake Lower Dam
Indian Lake Lower Dam, located in Lake Toxaway, North Carolina, is a privately owned structure regulated by the NC Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program. The dam, constructed for recreational purposes, stands at a hydraulic height of 55 feet and a structural height of 65 feet, with a length of 220 feet. It holds a storage capacity of 300 acre-feet, serving a drainage area of 754 acres along Indian Creek.
The dam, with a high hazard potential, was last inspected in September 2015 and deemed to be in satisfactory condition. While no significant modifications or risk assessments have been reported, the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) status remains unclear. The dam's location in a picturesque area with a surface area of 10 acres adds to its charm, but also underscores the importance of consistent maintenance and oversight to ensure the safety of surrounding communities and the preservation of the local ecosystem.
Overall, Indian Lake Lower Dam stands as a vital recreational resource in Transylvania County, surrounded by the natural beauty of the area. With its regulatory compliance and satisfactory condition, the dam plays a crucial role in providing recreational opportunities while also highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and emergency preparedness to mitigate any potential risks associated with its operation.
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 Indian Lake Lower Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| French Broad River At Rosman | 89 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Nr Cullowhee | 97 cfs | → |
| Davidson River Near Brevard | 49 cfs | → |
| W F Pigeon R Above Lake Logan Nr Hazelwood | 39 cfs | → |
| South Saluda River Near Cleveland | 5 cfs | → |
| West Fork Pigeon River Near Retreat | 36 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Indian Lake Lower Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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More reservoirs
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About Indian Lake Lower Dam
Where does the data for Indian Lake Lower 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 below 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.
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.