Hidden Creek Dam South dam
Hidden Creek Dam South
Hidden Creek Dam South, located in Wilkes, North Carolina, is a recreational earth dam that stands at a structural height of 48 feet with a hydraulic height of 44 feet. Completed in 2009, this dam serves the primary purpose of providing recreation opportunities in the area, offering a maximum storage capacity of 76 acre-feet. Situated along the Left Prong Stoney Fork Creek, this dam is a low hazard structure with a fair condition assessment as of October 2012.
Managed by the WILKE-052 state agency, Hidden Creek Dam South is not regulated or permitted by the state, but it undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and integrity. The dam is closely monitored for any potential risks, although it currently poses a low hazard to the surrounding area. With a history of being inspected in October 2012, this recreational dam continues to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore in Elk, North Carolina.
Overall, Hidden Creek Dam South offers a serene recreational spot for visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of Wilkes County. With its picturesque location and ample storage capacity, this earth dam serves as a vital resource for water enthusiasts while maintaining a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment. Whether for fishing, boating, or simply enjoying the scenic views, Hidden Creek Dam South stands as a testament to sustainable water resource management and outdoor recreation in North Carolina.
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 Hidden Creek Dam South -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Elk Creek At Elkville | 23 cfs | → |
| Yadkin River At Patterson | 12 cfs | → |
| South Fork New River Near Jefferson | 130 cfs | → |
| Reddies River At North Wilkesboro | 29 cfs | → |
| Yadkin River At Wilkesboro | 308 cfs | → |
| Watauga River Near Sugar Grove | 38 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hidden Creek Dam South.
Boat launches
- Stuart Williams Road Watauga County
- Castle Ford Road Ashe County
- River Road Watauga County
- Roby Green Road Watauga County
- Big Hill Road Watauga County
- Price Lake Trail Watauga County
Campgrounds
- Deep Gap Campsite
- Goshen Creek
- Obids Creek Campsite
- Rendezvous Mountain Group Camp
- Honey Bear Campground
- Boone Fork Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Watauga Reservoir To Tn/Nc State Line
- Headwaters Above Linville Gap To Blue Ridge Parkway Boundary
- Blue Ridge Parkway Boundary To Linville Gorge Boundary
- Headwaters To Tn/Va State Line
- Linville Gorge Wilderness Boundary To Southern End Of Wilderness
- Linville Wilderness Boundary To Lake James
Track Hidden Creek Dam South 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 Hidden Creek Dam South
Where does the data for Hidden Creek Dam South 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 Hidden Creek Dam South.