Griffin Pond Dam dam
Griffin Pond Dam
Griffin Pond Dam, also known as Shannamara Dam, is a privately owned structure located in Union County, North Carolina. This earth-type dam serves primarily for irrigation purposes but also offers recreational opportunities. The dam stands at a hydraulic height of 17 feet and a structural height of 23 feet, with a length of 630 feet and a storage capacity of 62 acre-feet. It is situated on Stevens Creek, contributing to a drainage area of 160 square miles.
The dam, regulated by the NCDEQ Dam Safety Program, has a fair condition assessment and a high hazard potential. Despite its fair condition, the dam has not undergone any recent modifications and lacks certain safety features such as spillways and outlet gates. Regular inspections are conducted every two years, with the last assessment completed in December 2020. The emergency action plan for Griffin Pond Dam was last revised in January 2001, highlighting the importance of updated safety protocols given its high hazard potential.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate management will find Griffin Pond Dam an intriguing case study due to its unique combination of agricultural and recreational uses. The dam's location in a rapidly growing area like Union County underscores the importance of maintaining and improving its infrastructure to ensure both public safety and environmental sustainability. As climate change continues to impact water resources, ensuring the safety and efficiency of structures like Griffin Pond Dam will be crucial for mitigating risks and adapting to evolving conditions in the region.
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 Griffin Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Goose Creek At Sr1525 Nr Indian Trail | 1 cfs | → |
| Irvins Creek At Sr3168 Nr Charlotte | 0 cfs | → |
| Mcalpine Creek At Sr3150 Nr Idlewild | 0 cfs | → |
| Goose Cr At Fairview | 14 cfs | → |
| Campbell Creek Nr Charlotte | 0 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek At Sr3181 Nr Mint Hill | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Griffin Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Catawba Nation Greenway Trail York County
- Waterford Trail Rock Hill
- Piedmont Medical Center Trail York County
- Soldier Road 15299, Mecklenburg County
- Copperhead Island Mecklenburg County
- New Gray Rock Road Tega Cay
Campgrounds
- Williams Farm
- Sign Language
- Cane Creek Park
- Mcdowell Nature Preserve
- Andrew Jackson State Park
- Ebenezer County Park
Fishing spots
- Buck Branch
- Mountain Island Park Fishing Access
- Arrowhead Lake
- Badin Lake Lakemont Rd
- Abbotts Creek
- Blewett Falls Lake Grassy Island
Track Griffin Pond 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 Griffin Pond Dam
Where does the data for Griffin Pond 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 Griffin Pond Dam.