Cobblestone Dam dam
Cobblestone Dam
Cobblestone Dam, also known as Bizzell Dam, is a privately owned structure located in Mecklenburg, North Carolina, specifically in the city of Charlotte. This earth dam was built for recreational purposes, including fire protection, stock, small fish pond, and of course, recreation. With a hydraulic height of 20 feet and a structural height of 22 feet, the dam stands along the Mcalpine-Os river or stream, providing a serene and picturesque setting for visitors to enjoy.
Despite its recreational appeal, Cobblestone Dam poses a high hazard potential and has been assessed to be in poor condition as of the last inspection in July 2020. The dam has a storage capacity of 17 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 2 acres. It is regulated by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program, with state inspection and enforcement in place to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. The dam's emergency action plan was last revised in 2013, highlighting the importance of preparedness for any potential risks or emergencies that may arise.
As a significant feature in the region, Cobblestone Dam serves not only as a recreational spot but also as a vital structure for fire protection and water storage purposes. Its location and design make it a point of interest for water resource and climate enthusiasts who appreciate the intersection of human infrastructure with natural landscapes. However, ongoing maintenance and adherence to safety guidelines are crucial to ensure the long-term viability and safety of this dam for both recreational and practical use.
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 Cobblestone Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Four Mile Creek Near Pineville | 4 cfs | → |
| Mcalpine Cr Below Mcmullen Cr Nr Pineville | 11 cfs | → |
| Little Sugar Creek At Pineville | 39 cfs | → |
| Sugar Creek At Nc 51 Near Pineville | 42 cfs | → |
| Mcmullen Cr At Sharon View Rd Near Charlotte | 1 cfs | → |
| Little Sugar C At Archdale Dr At Charlotte | 24 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cobblestone Dam.
Boat launches
- Waterford Trail Rock Hill
- Piedmont Medical Center Trail York County
- Catawba Nation Greenway Trail York County
- New Gray Rock Road Tega Cay
- Windward Drive Tega Cay
- Soldier Road 15299, Mecklenburg County
Campgrounds
- Sign Language
- Mcdowell Nature Preserve
- Ebenezer County Park
- Andrew Jackson State Park
- Cane Creek Park
- Williams Farm
Fishing spots
- Buck Branch
- Mountain Island Park Fishing Access
- Arrowhead Lake
- Pittman Lake
- Abbotts Creek
- Badin Lake Lakemont Rd
Track Cobblestone 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 Cobblestone Dam
Where does the data for Cobblestone 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 Cobblestone Dam.