Gaston Shoals Middle dam
Gaston Shoals Middle
Gaston Shoals Middle, located in Cherokee, South Carolina, is a private hydroelectric dam constructed in 1917 on the Broad River. With a dam height of 45 feet and a storage capacity of 2500 acre-feet, this concrete gravity dam serves as a key structure for water resource management and energy production in the region. Operated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the dam has a low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, making it a vital asset for sustainable water and climate management.
In addition to its primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation, Gaston Shoals Middle also provides flood control and recreation opportunities for the surrounding area. With a drainage area of 1300 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 54,000 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and protecting downstream communities from potential flooding events. Despite its age, the dam remains in good condition and is inspected regularly to ensure its continued safety and functionality.
Overall, Gaston Shoals Middle is a significant water resource infrastructure with historical importance and ongoing relevance for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Its strategic location, structural design, and operational efficiency make it a valuable asset for sustainable water management and environmental stewardship in the region.
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 Gaston Shoals Middle -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Broad River Near Blacksburg | 338 cfs | → |
| Broad River Near Gaffney | 1,890 cfs | → |
| Broad River Near Boiling Springs | 392 cfs | → |
| Broad River Below Cherokee Falls | 576 cfs | → |
| Pacolet River Below Lake Blalock Near Cowpens | 88 cfs | → |
| Lawsons Fork Creek At Spartanburg Sc | 29 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gaston Shoals Middle .
Boat launches
- First Broad River Trail Shelby
- John H. Moss Lake Recreation Park
- Lakeshore Drive Cleveland County
- Sandy Ford Road 1925, Chesnee
- Anchor Park
Campgrounds
- Shelby Mission Camp
- Garner Creek Backcountry Campsite
- Garner Creek
- John H. Moss Lake City Campground
- Hounds Gateway Campground
- Kings Mountain State Park
Fishing spots
- Johns Creek Lake
- Mountain Island Park Fishing Access
- Sedalia Lake
- Macedonia Lake
- Pittman Lake
- Benfield Creek
Track Gaston Shoals Middle 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 Gaston Shoals Middle
Where does the data for Gaston Shoals Middle 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 Gaston Shoals Middle .