Fernhill Pond Dam dam
Fernhill Pond Dam
Fernhill Pond Dam, also known as Lancaster Investment Corp Dam or Woodwinds Dam, is a private dam located in Charlotte, North Carolina. This earth dam stands at a structural height of 33.9 feet with a hydraulic height of 27.4 feet, serving primarily for recreational purposes. The dam has a maximum storage capacity of 54 acre-feet, with a normal storage of 44 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 4 acres and draining a 41-square-mile watershed area.
Despite its fair condition assessment as of December 2020, Fernhill Pond Dam poses a high hazard potential. It is regulated by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program, with regular inspections conducted every two years. While the dam has not undergone any modifications since its completion, it is crucial for the owners to adhere to safety guidelines and emergency action plans to mitigate risks and ensure the safety of downstream communities.
With its picturesque location on the Kings Branch-Tr river, Fernhill Pond Dam offers a serene recreational space in Mecklenburg County. However, being a privately-owned structure, it is essential for the owners to prioritize maintenance and compliance with regulatory requirements to safeguard the surrounding environment and communities from any potential hazards or emergencies. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, staying informed about the condition and management of dams like Fernhill Pond Dam is vital in promoting sustainable water stewardship and resilience in the face of changing climate dynamics.
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 Fernhill Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Sugar C At Archdale Dr At Charlotte | 32 cfs | → |
| Little Hope Cr At Seneca Place At Charlotte | 0 cfs | → |
| Coffey Creek Nr Charlotte | 2 cfs | → |
| Irwin Creek Near Charlotte | 17 cfs | → |
| Briar Cr Above Colony Rd At Charlotte | 3 cfs | → |
| Mcmullen Cr At Sharon View Rd Near Charlotte | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fernhill Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Soldier Road 15299, Mecklenburg County
- Copperhead Island Mecklenburg County
- Wilkinson Boulevard Belmont
- New Gray Rock Road Tega Cay
- Windward Drive Tega Cay
- East Charlotte Avenue Downtown
Campgrounds
- Mcdowell Nature Preserve
- Sign Language
- Ebenezer County Park
- Andrew Jackson State Park
- Cane Creek Park
- Kings Mountain State Park
Fishing spots
- Mountain Island Park Fishing Access
- Buck Branch
- Arrowhead Lake
- Abbotts Creek
- Benfield Creek
- Badin Lake Lakemont Rd
Track Fernhill 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 Fernhill Pond Dam
Where does the data for Fernhill 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 Fernhill Pond Dam.