Yellow Jacket Lake dam
Yellow Jacket Lake
Yellow Jacket Lake in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, is a private recreational lake situated near Moravian Creek. With a surface area of 2 acres and a maximum storage capacity of 23 acre-feet, this Earth dam structure stands at a structural height of 26 feet, with a hydraulic height of 22 feet. The dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a serene and picturesque setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy outdoor activities.
Despite being privately owned, Yellow Jacket Lake has a low hazard potential and is not currently regulated by the state. The dam has not been rated for its condition, with the last inspection conducted in December 2019. While the dam does not have a designated Emergency Action Plan (EAP) or inundation maps prepared, the risk assessment and management measures for the structure remain undetermined. Water enthusiasts visiting Yellow Jacket Lake can appreciate the beauty of this recreational reservoir while being mindful of its unregulated status and limited safety measures.
In the heart of Congressional District 05, North Carolina, Yellow Jacket Lake offers a tranquil oasis for visitors seeking a natural retreat. As an Earth dam with a modest footprint, this private recreational lake provides a peaceful escape for those looking to immerse themselves in the beauty of Wilkes County. With its unspoiled surroundings and potential for outdoor enjoyment, Yellow Jacket Lake stands as a hidden gem for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking a serene and scenic getaway.
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 Yellow Jacket Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yadkin River At Wilkesboro | 354 cfs | → |
| Reddies River At North Wilkesboro | 34 cfs | → |
| Lower Little River Nr All Healing Springs | 10 cfs | → |
| Elk Creek At Elkville | 26 cfs | → |
| Yadkin River At Patterson | 13 cfs | → |
| Yadkin River At Elkin | 505 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Yellow Jacket Lake.
Boat launches
- Gunpowder Boat Ramp
- Nc 16 3350, Jefferson
- Castle Ford Road Ashe County
- Stuart Williams Road Watauga County
- River Road Watauga County
- Campground Trail Yadkin County
Campgrounds
- Rendezvous Mountain Group Camp
- Obids Creek Campsite
- Fulda Gap / Cef Dragoons Hq
- Deep Gap Campsite
- Racoon Holler Campground
- Sandy Creek Family Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters Above Linville Gap To Blue Ridge Parkway Boundary
- Blue Ridge Parkway Boundary To Linville Gorge Boundary
- Linville Wilderness Boundary To Lake James
- Watauga Reservoir To Tn/Nc State Line
- Linville Gorge Wilderness Boundary To Southern End Of Wilderness
- Green Cove--Jefferson Nf Near Confluence Of Star Hill Branch To Confluence With Whitetop Laurel
Track Yellow Jacket Lake 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 Yellow Jacket Lake
Where does the data for Yellow Jacket Lake 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 Low 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 Yellow Jacket Lake.