Cheek Lake Dam dam
Cheek Lake Dam
Cheek Lake Dam, located in Union, North Carolina, is a privately owned structure built in 1966 for fire protection, stock, and small fish pond purposes. The earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 15 feet and a structural height of 20 feet, with a length of 420 feet and a storage capacity of 54 acre-feet. The dam, situated on Stewart Branch, serves as a recreational spot covering a surface area of 4 acres, offering a serene environment for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore.
With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment that is currently unrated, Cheek Lake Dam has not been regulated by the state authorities. Despite being inspected in October 2016, the dam does not require regular inspection as per the provided data. The emergency action plan status, risk assessment, and management measures for the dam remain unspecified, leaving room for further evaluation and preparedness in case of unforeseen events. As a focal point for fire protection and water conservation, Cheek Lake Dam presents an opportunity for environmental enthusiasts to appreciate and engage with the vital role of dams in sustaining local ecosystems.
As a part of the Charleston District in North Carolina, Cheek Lake Dam is a key feature in the Lancaster Sc area, contributing to the local landscape and water management system. While the dam's primary purpose is to serve as a reservoir for fire protection and recreational activities, its significance extends to supporting the ecosystem and providing a tranquil setting for visitors. The dam's history, design, and operational aspects make it an intriguing subject for those passionate about water resources and climate sustainability, urging further exploration and understanding of its role in the region's environmental landscape.
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 Cheek Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Waxhaw Creek At Sr1103 Near Jackson | 1 cfs | → |
| Catawba River Below Catawba | 985 cfs | → |
| Four Mile Creek Near Pineville | 4 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek At Sr1525 Nr Indian Trail | 2 cfs | → |
| Fishing Creek Below Fort Lawn | 41 cfs | → |
| Mcalpine Cr Below Mcmullen Cr Nr Pineville | 11 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cheek Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Catawba Nation Greenway Trail York County
- Lancaster County
- Waterford Trail Rock Hill
- Piedmont Medical Center Trail York County
- Green Road Lancaster County
- New Gray Rock Road Tega Cay
Campgrounds
- Cane Creek Park
- Andrew Jackson State Park
- Williams Farm
- Sign Language
- Ebenezer County Park
- Mcdowell Nature Preserve
Fishing spots
- Buck Branch
- Arrowhead Lake
- Mountain Island Park Fishing Access
- Blewett Falls Lake Grassy Island
- Baldwins Pond
- Pittman Lake
Track Cheek Lake 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 Cheek Lake Dam
Where does the data for Cheek Lake 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 Cheek Lake Dam.