Hardins, located in Gaston, North Carolina, is a privately owned masonry dam built in 1895 for hydroelectric purposes on the South Fork Catawba River.
Wind
Humidity
With a structural height of 17 feet and a hydraulic height of 14 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 77 acre-feet and a surface area of 2.9 acres, serving a drainage area of 534 square miles. The dam is primarily regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), with inspection frequencies every 3 years and a low hazard potential rating.
Despite its age, Hardins has a moderate risk assessment rating and lacks detailed risk management measures. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled with a width of 219 feet, and it has not been significantly modified in recent years. The emergency action plan (EAP) for the dam was last revised in December 2020, but its adherence to guidelines and the preparation of inundation maps remain unclear. Overall, Hardins presents an intriguing case study for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the management and assessment of historic dams in the United States.
Year Completed |
1895 |
Dam Length |
269 |
Dam Height |
17 |
River Or Stream |
South Fork Catawba River |
Primary Dam Type |
Masonry |
Surface Area |
2.9 |
Hydraulic Height |
14 |
Drainage Area |
534 |
Nid Storage |
77 |
Structural Height |
17 |
Hazard Potential |
Low |
Foundations |
Rock |
Nid Height |
17 |
Indian Creek Near Laboratory
|
608cfs |
Long Creek Near Bessemer City
|
13cfs |
South Fork Catawba River At Lowell
|
396cfs |
Killian Creek Near Mariposa
|
37cfs |
Long Creek Nr Rhyne
|
9cfs |
Mcdowell Creek Nr Charlotte
|
0cfs |