Lewis Dam dam
Lewis Dam
Lewis Dam, located in Mills River, North Carolina, is a private recreational structure along Osborne Branch, boasting a hydraulic height of 16 feet and a structural height of 18 feet. With a storage capacity of 10 acre-feet and a surface area of 1 acre, this earthen dam provides essential water resources for both recreational purposes and environmental conservation in the area. Despite its fair condition assessment as of May 2018, the dam poses a high hazard potential, requiring regular inspections every two years to ensure public safety and the integrity of the structure.
Owned and regulated by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program, Lewis Dam stands as a testament to responsible water management practices in the region. The dam's primary purpose is to provide a safe and enjoyable recreational space for the community while also supporting conservation efforts for the surrounding natural habitats. With a strong emphasis on state permitting, inspection, and enforcement, Lewis Dam demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship in the face of climate change and shifting water resource dynamics.
As a vital component of the local watershed, Lewis Dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow, storage, and distribution in Transylvania County. With a focus on risk management measures and emergency preparedness, the dam serves as a model for sustainable water infrastructure development in the region. Climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates alike can appreciate Lewis Dam's dedication to balancing human recreation with ecological preservation in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Lewis Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| French Broad River At Blantyre | 404 cfs | → |
| Davidson River Near Brevard | 58 cfs | → |
| Mills River Near Mills River | 90 cfs | → |
| French Broad River Near Fletcher | 753 cfs | → |
| French Broad River At Rosman | 97 cfs | → |
| East Fork Pigeon River Near Canton | 88 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lewis Dam.
Boat launches
See all →
Campgrounds
See all →
Fishing spots
See all →
River runs
See all →
More reservoirs
See all →
About Lewis Dam
Where does the data for Lewis 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.