Phoenix Pond Dam dam
Phoenix Pond Dam
Phoenix Pond Dam, located in Yancey, North Carolina, is a private Earth-type dam on Jacks Creek primarily used for recreation. With a hydraulic height of 17.1 feet and a structural height of 20.5 feet, the dam provides a surface area of 2 acres and a storage capacity of 16 acre-feet. Despite its fair condition assessment and high hazard potential, the dam is regularly inspected and regulated by the NCDEQ Dam Safety Program to ensure public safety.
Owned and operated by a private entity, Phoenix Pond Dam has a history of meeting state regulatory requirements, including permitting, inspection, and enforcement. The dam's last inspection in January 2021 deemed its condition fair, indicating a need for ongoing maintenance and monitoring to mitigate potential risks. With a designated emergency action plan and high hazard classification, the dam serves as a vital recreational resource while warranting careful attention to safety protocols.
As a key structure in the Wilmington District and under the jurisdiction of the NCDEQ, Phoenix Pond Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts. With its recreational purpose, the dam provides valuable opportunities for local residents and visitors, highlighting the importance of balancing human enjoyment with effective dam safety measures in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Phoenix Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Toe River Near Celo | 33 cfs | → |
| Nolichucky River At Embreeville | 2,020 cfs | → |
| North Fork Swannanoa River Near Walkertown | 7 cfs | → |
| Ivy River Near Marshall | 47 cfs | → |
| Beetree Creek Near Swannanoa | 2 cfs | → |
| Catawba R Nr Pleasant Gardens | 50 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Phoenix Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Mitchell County
- Us 321;Sr 67 Carter County
- Blevins 221-259, Johnson City
- Houseboat Lane 299, Mcdowell County
- Wilbur Dam Road Carter County
- Lovers Lane 338, Carter County
Campgrounds
- Saylor Lake Rv Park
- Spivey Gap Recreation Area
- Patience Park Toe River Campground
- Living Waters Campground
- Rock Creek Rec Area
- Lil Rock Creek Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Boundary Between Mitchell And Yancy Counties To Nc/Tn Stateline
- Tn/Nc State Line (Rm 100.6) To Mine Branch (Rm 99.3)
- Headwaters Above Linville Gap To Blue Ridge Parkway Boundary
- Blue Ridge Parkway Boundary To Linville Gorge Boundary
- Watauga Reservoir To Tn/Nc State Line
- Linville Gorge Wilderness Boundary To Southern End Of Wilderness
Track Phoenix 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 Phoenix Pond Dam
Where does the data for Phoenix 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 Phoenix Pond Dam.