Hawkins Sediment Basin 4 dam
Hawkins Sediment Basin 4
Hawkins Sediment Basin 4, located in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, is a crucial offstream structure designed for debris control. Completed in 2009, this earth dam stands at a structural height of 30 feet with a hydraulic height of 3 feet, providing a storage capacity of 15 acre-feet. With a maximum discharge of 52 cubic feet per second and a drainage area of 21 acres, this basin plays a vital role in managing sediment and debris in the region.
Maintained by the North Carolina Dam Safety Program, Hawkins Sediment Basin 4 has been assessed as being in satisfactory condition with a high hazard potential. The last inspection in September 2017 confirmed its structural integrity and compliance with safety regulations. The emergency action plan for the basin was last revised in January 2020, ensuring that appropriate measures are in place in case of any unforeseen events.
As a key component of the local water resource management infrastructure, Hawkins Sediment Basin 4 serves as a critical structure for debris control in the area. With its effective design, storage capacity, and compliance with regulatory standards, this basin plays a significant role in safeguarding the surrounding environment and communities from potential hazards related to sediment and debris accumulation.
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 Hawkins Sediment Basin 4 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Toe River Near Celo | 33 cfs | → |
| Linville River Near Nebo | 17 cfs | → |
| Catawba R Nr Pleasant Gardens | 50 cfs | → |
| Johns River At Arneys Store | 72 cfs | → |
| North Fork Swannanoa River Near Walkertown | 7 cfs | → |
| Watauga River Near Sugar Grove | 38 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hawkins Sediment Basin 4.
Boat launches
- Linville Boat Ramp
- Houseboat Lane 299, Mcdowell County
- Canal Bridge Boat Ramp Burke County
- Mitchell County
- Hidden Cove Boat Ramp Mcdowell County
- Price Lake Trail Watauga County
Campgrounds
- Saylor Lake Rv Park
- Buck Hill Campground
- Patience Park Toe River Campground
- Linville Falls
- Linville Falls - Blue Ridge Parkway
- Linville Falls Campground
Fishing spots
- Nolichucky River
- Watauga River
- Asheville Recreation Park Lake
- Bailey Branch
- Anderson Branch
- Dillard Place
Paddle runs
- Blue Ridge Parkway Boundary To Linville Gorge Boundary
- Headwaters Above Linville Gap To Blue Ridge Parkway Boundary
- Linville Gorge Wilderness Boundary To Southern End Of Wilderness
- Boundary Between Mitchell And Yancy Counties To Nc/Tn Stateline
- Linville Wilderness Boundary To Lake James
- Watauga Reservoir To Tn/Nc State Line
Track Hawkins Sediment Basin 4 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 Hawkins Sediment Basin 4
Where does the data for Hawkins Sediment Basin 4 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 Hawkins Sediment Basin 4.