Townes Dam dam
Townes Dam
Townes Dam, also known as Bee Townes Dam, is a privately-owned structure located in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Built in 1986 by the USDA NRCS, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 24 feet and spans 307 feet across Tr- Little Warrior Creek. Its primary purpose is for irrigation, with additional functions including fish and wildlife pond and recreation. The dam has a storage capacity of 40 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 164 cubic feet per second.
With a hazard potential rated as significant and a moderate risk assessment, Townes Dam is of interest to water resource and climate enthusiasts. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a width of 20 feet, and it features uncontrolled outlet gates. Despite the lack of available condition assessment data, the dam undergoes inspections every 3 years. While the risk management measures and emergency action plan details are currently not available, the structure's location and design make it a key player in the water management system of the area.
Overall, Townes Dam serves as a crucial infrastructure for irrigation and water supply in the region, showcasing a blend of engineering expertise and natural resource conservation. Its association with the USDA NRCS ensures responsible management and maintenance practices. As water resources continue to face challenges due to climate change, the significance of structures like Townes Dam in ensuring water security and environmental sustainability cannot be overstated.
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 Townes Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Elk Creek At Elkville | 25 cfs | → |
| Lower Little River Nr All Healing Springs | 9 cfs | → |
| Yadkin River At Wilkesboro | 338 cfs | → |
| Reddies River At North Wilkesboro | 32 cfs | → |
| Yadkin River At Patterson | 13 cfs | → |
| South Fork New River Near Jefferson | 141 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Townes Dam.
Boat launches
- Gunpowder Boat Ramp
- Weaver Lane Burke County
- Stuart Williams Road Watauga County
- Castle Ford Road Ashe County
- River Road Watauga County
- Roby Green Road Watauga County
Campgrounds
- Rendezvous Mountain Group Camp
- Fulda Gap / Cef Dragoons Hq
- Boone Fork Campground
- Deep Gap Campsite
- Obids Creek Campsite
- Goshen Creek
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Blue Ridge Parkway Boundary To Linville Gorge Boundary
- Headwaters Above Linville Gap To Blue Ridge Parkway Boundary
- Linville Wilderness Boundary To Lake James
- Linville Gorge Wilderness Boundary To Southern End Of Wilderness
- Watauga Reservoir To Tn/Nc State Line
- Headwaters To Tn/Va State Line
Track Townes 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 Townes Dam
Where does the data for Townes 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 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 Townes Dam.