Crimmins Dam dam
Crimmins Dam
Crimmins Dam, located in Grassy Branch, North Carolina, is a privately owned structure primarily used for recreation. The dam, with a structural height of 13.5 feet, serves as a tranquil spot for water enthusiasts to enjoy the surrounding area. However, despite its recreational purpose, the dam is classified as having a high hazard potential and poor condition, as assessed in January 2015.
Owned by a private entity, Crimmins Dam falls under the jurisdiction of the state regulatory agencies, including NCDEQ and DEMLR's Dam Safety Program. Inspected every two years, the dam is closely monitored for any safety concerns. While it provides some storage capacity and contributes to the scenic beauty of the area, its poor condition and high hazard potential highlight the need for regular maintenance and potential risk management measures to ensure the safety of those who enjoy its recreational offerings.
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 Crimmins Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tuckasegee River At Bryson City | 571 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee River At Needmore | 445 cfs | → |
| Oconaluftee River At Birdtown | 219 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Barker's Creek | 206 cfs | → |
| Little River Above Townsend | 115 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee R At Franklin | 1,050 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Crimmins Dam.
Boat launches
- Church Street Jackson County
- Cable Cove Road, Fontana Dam
- Cable Cove Road Graham County
- Great Smoky Mountains Expressway 5453, Jackson County
- Fontana Road 12574, Robbinsville
- Highway 28, Fontana Dam
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Augerhole Branch
- Birchfield Branch
- Massey Branch Fishing Pier
- Santeetlah Lake
- Bear Creek Lake
- Citico Creek
Paddle runs
- Natahala Powerhouse To Lake Fontana (River Mile 4)
- Polecat Branch To Snowbird Picnic Area
- Headwaters In Standing Indian Basin To Slackwater Of Natahala Lake
- Owlcamp Branch To Polecat Branch
- Headwaters Near Mitchell Lick To Owlcamp Branch
- Headwaters Near Graham County Line To Nc/Tn State Line
Track Crimmins 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 Crimmins Dam
Where does the data for Crimmins 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 Crimmins Dam.