Mountain Air Dam Dam
Mountain Air Dam
Mountain Air Dam, located in Cane River, North Carolina, serves as a crucial structure regulating the flow of Phipps Creek. Owned by unspecified entities, the dam falls under state jurisdiction and regulation by the NC Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program. With a high hazard potential, the dam has not been rated for its condition, posing potential risks to the surrounding area.
Despite lacking specific details on its design and purpose, Mountain Air Dam's presence underscores the importance of monitoring and maintaining water resources in the region. The dam's critical role in managing water flow and potential hazards highlights the need for regular inspections and emergency preparedness measures. As a part of the Wilmington District, the dam's significance extends beyond its immediate location to impact the broader environmental and climate considerations in the area.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Mountain Air Dam presents an intriguing case study in dam management and regulation. With its high hazard potential and state oversight, the dam serves as a focal point for discussions on risk assessment, emergency preparedness, and the broader implications of water infrastructure on local ecosystems. As efforts to address climate change intensify, understanding the complexities of structures like Mountain Air Dam becomes increasingly vital for ensuring the sustainability and resilience of water resources in North Carolina and beyond.
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 Mountain Air Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Toe River Near Celo | 117 cfs | → |
| North Fork Swannanoa River Near Walkertown | 16 cfs | → |
| Beetree Creek Near Swannanoa | 2 cfs | → |
| Ivy River Near Marshall | 80 cfs | → |
| French Broad River At Marshall | 876 cfs | → |
| Catawba R Nr Pleasant Gardens | 108 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mountain Air 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 Mountain Air Dam
Where does the data for Mountain Air 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 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.