Armstrong Dam dam
Armstrong Dam
Armstrong Dam in Cherokee, North Carolina, is a private earth dam primarily used for recreation. With a hydraulic height of 18 feet and a structural height of 20 feet, the dam spans 260 feet and has a storage capacity of 16 acre-feet. While the dam is not state-regulated, it is inspected periodically, with the last assessment conducted in May 2014, revealing a fair condition and significant hazard potential.
Owned by a private entity, Armstrong Dam offers enthusiasts of water resources and climate a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of human-made structures and their impact on the environment. Situated within the Nashville District, the dam's location at 35.0666° N, -84.2326° W provides a picturesque setting for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. The dam's non-federal status and independent ownership highlight the diverse landscape of water resource management in North Carolina.
Despite its fair condition and significant hazard potential, Armstrong Dam remains a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts seeking to connect with nature and engage in water-related activities. As a privately-owned earth dam, it serves as a reminder of the intricate balance between human intervention and environmental conservation in the management of water resources. With its unique design and recreational focus, Armstrong Dam offers a fascinating case study for those interested in the intersection of infrastructure, climate, and sustainable recreation.
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 Armstrong Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ocoee River At Copperhill | 259 cfs | → |
| Valley River At Tomotla | 519 cfs | → |
| Toccoa River Near Dial | 244 cfs | → |
| Tellico River At Tellico Plains | 139 cfs | → |
| Nottely River Near Blairsville | 68 cfs | → |
| Cartecay River Near Ellijay | 171 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Armstrong Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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More reservoirs
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About Armstrong Dam
Where does the data for Armstrong 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.