Saltz Lake Dam dam
Saltz Lake Dam
Saltz Lake Dam, located in Brevard, North Carolina, along Brushy Creek, is a privately owned earth dam primarily used for recreation. Standing at a structural height of 18 feet and spanning 250 feet in length, this dam creates a surface area of 2 acres for visitors to enjoy. Despite its modest size, Saltz Lake Dam is classified as having a high hazard potential, although its condition assessment is currently listed as "not rated."
While the last inspection of Saltz Lake Dam took place in July 1982 and its overall condition remains unknown, the dam continues to serve as a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts in the area. With no associated structures or federal oversight, this private dam offers a peaceful retreat for those looking to relax by the water. Despite its lack of regulatory enforcement and state permitting, Saltz Lake Dam remains a picturesque destination for individuals seeking recreational opportunities in Transylvania County.
As climate change impacts water resources worldwide, the importance of maintaining and monitoring dams like Saltz Lake becomes increasingly crucial. While the dam's risk assessment and emergency action plan status are currently unknown, ensuring the safety and integrity of such structures in the face of changing climate patterns is vital for protecting both the environment and surrounding communities.
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 Saltz Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Davidson River Near Brevard | 32 cfs | → |
| French Broad River At Rosman | 54 cfs | → |
| French Broad River At Blantyre | 257 cfs | → |
| South Saluda River Near Cleveland | 5 cfs | → |
| Mills River Near Mills River | 62 cfs | → |
| Middle Saluda River Near Cleveland | 16 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Saltz Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Pisgah Forest Access Brevard
- Canada Road 14091, Tuckasegee
- Hooper Lane Mills River
- Devils Fork Road Oconee County
- White Oak Hill Road Oconee County
Campgrounds
- Kuykendall Group Campground
- Davidson River
- Davidson River Campground
- Davidson River Recreation Area
- Butter Gap Shelter
- White Pines Group Campground
Fishing spots
- Bear Creek Lake
- Asheville Recreation Park Lake
- Bailey Branch
- Presbyterian Lake
- Anderson Branch
- Big Pine Creek
Paddle runs
- Dark Prong From Headwaters To Confluence East Fork And Yellowstone Prong
- Yellowstone Prong From Headwaters To Confluence With East Fork And Yellowstone Prong
- East Fork From Us Highway 276 To Confluence Of Dark Prong And Yellowstone Prong
- South Fork From Confluence With Pigeon Br To Nf Boundary
- North Fork From Bottom Of Spillway Of Hendersonville Reservoir To Confluence With South Fork
- Nf Boundary To Confluence With North Fork
Track Saltz Lake 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 Saltz Lake Dam
Where does the data for Saltz Lake 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 Saltz Lake Dam.