Helms Dam dam
Helms Dam
Located in Cabarrus, North Carolina, Helms Dam on the Cold Water Creek-Tr is a private recreational earth dam with a hydraulic height of 23.5 feet and a structural height of 25 feet. The dam has a normal storage capacity of 21 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 30 acre-feet, serving a drainage area of 80 square miles. With a surface area of 3 acres and a length of 105 feet, the dam poses a low hazard potential and was last inspected in September 2017.
While not state-regulated, Helms Dam in Locust, North Carolina, is maintained and inspected by the owner. The dam's purpose is primarily for recreation, and it has not been modified since its completion. Although its condition is not currently rated, the dam is considered to have low risk potential. With its picturesque setting and scenic surroundings, Helms Dam provides a tranquil spot for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy water-based activities in a natural setting.
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 Helms Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky R Ab Irish Buffalo Cr Nr Rocky River | 46 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek At Sr3181 Nr Mint Hill | 2 cfs | → |
| Mallard Cr Bl Stony Cr Nr Harrisburg | 5 cfs | → |
| Reedy Creek At Sr 2803 Nr Charlotte | · | → |
| Rocky River Nr Stanfield | 173 cfs | → |
| Clarke Creek Near Harrisburg | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Helms Dam.
Boat launches
- Neck Road 5744, Huntersville
- Old Whitney Boat Ramp
- Badin Lake Boat Ramp
- Marina Drive 298, Montgomery County
- Nc 73 Mecklenburg County
- Falls Road Stanly County
Campgrounds
- Morrow Mountain State Park
- Deep Water Trailt Horse Camp
- Art Lilley Campground
- Shepherds Field
- Badin Lake Capmground Upper Loop
- Badin Lake
Fishing spots
- Abbotts Creek
- Mountain Island Park Fishing Access
- Badin Lake Lakemont Rd
- Buddle Branch
- Buck Branch
- Arrowhead Lake
Track Helms 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 Helms Dam
Where does the data for Helms 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 Low 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 Helms Dam.