Smoky Mountain Sanctuary Poa Dam dam
Smoky Mountain Sanctuary Poa Dam
The Smoky Mountain Sanctuary Poa Dam is a privately owned structure located in Haywood, North Carolina, specifically in the city of Waynesville. This dam, situated along the Farmers Branch river, serves a primary purpose that is categorized as 'Other'. With a hydraulic height of 2 feet and a structural height of 40 feet, the dam spans a length of 134 feet and has a storage capacity of 16 acre-feet.
Although the dam was last inspected in September 2013 and deemed to be in satisfactory condition, it is characterized as having a high hazard potential. The inspection frequency for this dam is every 2 years, highlighting the importance of regular monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure. The state of North Carolina regulates the dam, with the Dam Safety Program under the NC Department of Environmental Quality overseeing its permitting, inspection, and enforcement processes.
In the midst of the picturesque Smoky Mountains, the Smoky Mountain Sanctuary Poa Dam stands as a vital piece of infrastructure that not only provides water resource management but also poses a significant risk if not properly maintained. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, this dam serves as a focal point for understanding the delicate balance between harnessing natural resources and safeguarding against potential hazards. Its location within a high-risk area underscores the need for continued vigilance and proactive measures to ensure the safety of nearby communities and the surrounding environment.
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 Smoky Mountain Sanctuary Poa Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Fork Pigeon River Near Retreat | 36 cfs | → |
| W Fk Pigeon R At Bethel | 446 cfs | → |
| W F Pigeon R Above Lake Logan Nr Hazelwood | 341 cfs | → |
| East Fork Pigeon River Near Canton | 590 cfs | → |
| Pigeon River Near Canton | 613 cfs | → |
| Pigeon River Near Hepco | 1,540 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Smoky Mountain Sanctuary Poa Dam.
Boat launches
- North Lakeshore Drive 103, Haywood County
- Canada Road 14091, Tuckasegee
- Great Smoky Mountains Expressway 5453, Jackson County
- Pisgah Forest Access Brevard
- Church Street Jackson County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Bear Creek Lake
- Bailey Branch
- Asheville Recreation Park Lake
- Anderson Branch
- Big Pine Creek
- Allen Branch Pond
Paddle runs
- East Fork From Us Highway 276 To Confluence Of Dark Prong And Yellowstone Prong
- Yellowstone Prong From Headwaters To Confluence With East Fork And Yellowstone Prong
- Dark Prong From Headwaters To Confluence East Fork And Yellowstone Prong
- South Fork From Confluence With Pigeon Br To Nf Boundary
- Nf Boundary To Confluence With North Fork
- North Fork From Bottom Of Spillway Of Hendersonville Reservoir To Confluence With South Fork
Track Smoky Mountain Sanctuary Poa 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 Smoky Mountain Sanctuary Poa Dam
Where does the data for Smoky Mountain Sanctuary Poa 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 Smoky Mountain Sanctuary Poa Dam.