Estes Lake Dam dam
Estes Lake Dam
Estes Lake Dam, also known as Ledbetter Lake Dam, is a privately owned structure located in Union Mills, North Carolina. Built in 1973, this earth dam stands at a structural height of 24.5 feet and serves as a Fish and Wildlife Pond for the surrounding area. The dam has a hydraulic height of 20.5 feet and spans a length of 344 feet, providing a surface area of 6 acres for recreational activities.
Managed by the North Carolina Dam Safety Program, Estes Lake Dam is regulated by the NCDEQ and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. With a significant hazard potential, the dam has been assessed as satisfactory in condition as of April 2017. While the dam does not have associated storage or discharge capacity data available, its primary purpose of supporting fish and wildlife habitats underscores its importance in maintaining ecological balance in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Estes Lake Dam represents a vital component of the local ecosystem in McDowell County. With its role in supporting fish and wildlife populations and providing recreational opportunities, this privately owned earth dam serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible water management practices in safeguarding natural habitats and enhancing community resilience to climate impacts.
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 Estes Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Catawba R Nr Pleasant Gardens | 145 cfs | → |
| Cove Creek Near Lake Lure | 103 cfs | → |
| Second Broad River Nr Logan | 74 cfs | → |
| Linville River Near Nebo | 173 cfs | → |
| North Fork Swannanoa River Near Walkertown | 25 cfs | → |
| South Toe River Near Celo | 213 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Estes Lake Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Estes Lake Dam
Where does the data for Estes 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 Significant 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 below 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.
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.