Davis Dam dam
Davis Dam
Davis Dam, located in North Carolina on the North Deep Creek-Tr river, was completed in 1933 for recreational purposes. This private-owned earth dam stands at a structural height of 30 feet with a hydraulic height of 23.2 feet and a length of 190 feet, providing a storage capacity of 72 acre-feet. The dam, which is regulated by the NCDEQ Dam Safety Program, has a significant hazard potential but is currently assessed to be in fair condition as of the last inspection in February 2018.
Situated in Yadkin County near High Rock, Davis Dam serves as a popular spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy various recreational activities. With a normal storage capacity of 55.7 acre-feet and a surface area of 6 acres, the dam offers a picturesque setting for outdoor adventures. Despite its age, regular state inspections and enforcement ensure the safety and maintenance of the dam, providing a secure environment for visitors to appreciate the scenic beauty of the area.
Managed by the Huntington District of the USACE, Davis Dam does not have a spillway or associated locks, but its primary purpose of recreation attracts many visitors seeking relaxation and enjoyment along the tranquil waters. With a notable history dating back to the early 20th century, this dam continues to stand as a testament to both engineering ingenuity and the enduring appeal of nature-based leisure activities in North Carolina.
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 Davis Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yadkin River At Enon | 670 cfs | → |
| Hunting Creek Near Harmony | 50 cfs | → |
| Little Yadkin River At Dalton | 7 cfs | → |
| Fisher River Near Copeland | 177 cfs | → |
| Yadkin River At Elkin | 521 cfs | → |
| Mitchell River Near State Road | 57 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Davis Dam.
Boat launches
- Campground Trail Yadkin County
- Nc Highway 801 South 5877, Mocksville
- Lake Thom-A-Lex Park
- Belews Lake Drive 8191, Belews Creek
- Trading Ford Way Davidson County
- Pine Hall Road 2547-2793, Walnut Cove
Campgrounds
- Tanglewood Park
- Pilot Mountain State Park
- Ymca Camp Hanes
- Hanging Rock State Park
- Sunset Park Campground
- Camp Raven Knob
Fishing spots
Track Davis 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 Davis Dam
Where does the data for Davis 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 Davis Dam.