Spencer Mountain Dam dam
Spencer Mountain Dam
Spencer Mountain Dam, located in Gaston, North Carolina, stands as a critical structure regulating the flow of the South Fork Catawba River. With a high hazard potential and a state-regulated status, this dam plays a crucial role in water resource management within the region. Despite lacking specific data on its physical attributes such as height and volume, the dam is subject to regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety.
The dam's primary purpose, classified as "Other," suggests a multifaceted role in water management beyond basic flood control. With no designated dam type and a high hazard potential rating, the Spencer Mountain Dam represents a significant site for climate enthusiasts and water resource experts alike to monitor and study. Its status as a state-regulated structure under the oversight of the North Carolina Dam Safety Program underscores the importance of its maintenance and upkeep in preserving the surrounding environment and communities.
While details on the dam's construction date and modifications are scarce, its presence as a key regulatory point on the South Fork Catawba River warrants attention and consideration. As a focal point for water management efforts in the region, Spencer Mountain Dam serves as a reminder of the intricate interplay between human infrastructure and natural water systems, making it a site of interest and importance for those passionate about water resource conservation and climate resilience.
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 Spencer Mountain Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Catawba River At Lowell | 187 cfs | → |
| Long Creek Near Bessemer City | 4 cfs | → |
| Long Creek Nr Rhyne | 10 cfs | → |
| Paw Cr At Wilkinson Blvd Nr Charlotte | 7 cfs | → |
| Killian Creek Near Mariposa | 9 cfs | → |
| Long Creek Near Paw Creek | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Spencer Mountain Dam.
Boat launches
- East Charlotte Avenue Downtown
- Wilkinson Boulevard Belmont
- Riverbend Boat Ramp
- Neck Road 5744, Huntersville
- Nc 73 Mecklenburg County
- Shipley Lane Lincoln County
Campgrounds
- Hounds Gateway Campground
- Mcdowell Nature Preserve
- Kings Mountain State Park
- John H. Moss Lake City Campground
- Ebenezer County Park
- Garner Creek
Fishing spots
Track Spencer Mountain 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 Spencer Mountain Dam
Where does the data for Spencer Mountain 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 Spencer Mountain Dam.