Sidden Upper Dam dam
Sidden Upper Dam
Sidden Upper Dam, located in Traphill, North Carolina, is a private dam owned and managed for recreational purposes. Situated on Double Creek-Tr, this Earth-type dam has a hydraulic height of 22.8 feet and a structural height of 25.8 feet, providing a storage capacity of 12 acre-feet. With a surface area of 1.3 acres and a drainage area of 53 square miles, this dam plays a significant role in water resource management in the region.
The dam's hazard potential is classified as significant, although its condition assessment is currently marked as "Not Rated." Despite not being state-regulated, Sidden Upper Dam undergoes regular inspections, with the last inspection conducted in December 2020. The dam's emergency action plan status, risk assessment, and management measures are not indicated in the available data, suggesting a potential area for further investigation by water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the safety and sustainability of this important infrastructure.
As a key feature in the local landscape, Sidden Upper Dam provides both recreational opportunities and water resource management benefits. With its location in Wilkes County, North Carolina, and its association with the Huntington District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, this dam serves as a focal point for understanding the intersection of human infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and climate resilience in the region. Further research and monitoring of Sidden Upper Dam can contribute valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing water resources and climate adaptation efforts in the area.
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 Sidden Upper Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Reddies River At North Wilkesboro | 34 cfs | → |
| Yadkin River At Wilkesboro | 354 cfs | → |
| Mitchell River Near State Road | 57 cfs | → |
| Yadkin River At Elkin | 505 cfs | → |
| South Fork New River Near Jefferson | 141 cfs | → |
| New River Near Galax | 586 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sidden Upper Dam.
Boat launches
- Farmers Fish Camp Road Alleghany County
- Old River Lane 998, Grayson County
- Baywood Boat Ramp
- Cox's Chapel Road Grayson County
- Nc 16 3350, Jefferson
- Riverside Boat Ramp
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Whitetop Laurel--Jefferson Nf Boundary (Intersection Of Hwy 58 And Sr 859) To Jefferson Nf Boundary Above Damascus
- Green Cove--Jefferson Nf Near Confluence Of Star Hill Branch To Confluence With Whitetop Laurel
- Headwaters To Tn/Va State Line
- Watauga Reservoir To Tn/Nc State Line
- Headwaters Above Linville Gap To Blue Ridge Parkway Boundary
- Blue Ridge Parkway Boundary To Linville Gorge Boundary
Track Sidden Upper 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 Sidden Upper Dam
Where does the data for Sidden Upper 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 Significant 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 Sidden Upper Dam.