Sanders Lake Dam dam
Sanders Lake Dam
Sanders Lake Dam, located in Cumberland County, North Carolina, is a privately owned structure primarily used for recreation purposes. Built in 1955 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 28 feet and a structural height of 33 feet, with a length of 390 feet and a storage capacity of 235 acre-feet. The dam overlooks Bones Creek-Tr and serves as a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts seeking water-related activities.
Managed and regulated by the NCDEQ Dam Safety Program, Sanders Lake Dam has a low hazard potential and is currently assessed to be in fair condition as of the last inspection in November 2016. Despite its age, the dam continues to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for the local community, with an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates ensuring proper water flow. With a moderate risk assessment rating, ongoing risk management measures are being implemented to maintain the dam's integrity and safety standards for years to come.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Sanders Lake Dam offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of human engineering and natural landscapes. Its presence along the Bones Creek-Tr not only enhances the recreational opportunities in the area but also highlights the importance of responsible dam management and maintenance in ensuring the safety and sustainability of our water resources. As a testament to collaboration between private ownership and state regulatory agencies, Sanders Lake Dam stands as a symbol of harmonious coexistence between man-made structures and the environment they inhabit.
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 Sanders Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little River At Manchester | 28 cfs | → |
| Rockfish Creek At Raeford | 30 cfs | → |
| Flat Creek Near Inverness | 2 cfs | → |
| Cape Fear R At Wilm O Huske Lock Nr Tarheel | 614 cfs | → |
| Lumber River Near Maxton | 91 cfs | → |
| Drowning Creek Near Hoffman | 14 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sanders Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Carolina Way 956, Harnett County
- Dewberry Drive Whispering Pines
- Shadow Drive 93, Whispering Pines
- Niagara Carthage Road 3326, Whispering Pines
Campgrounds
- Smith Lake Army Rv Military - Ft Bragg
- Chalk Banks - Lumber River State Park
- San Lee County Park
- John Culberth Campsite
Fishing spots
Track Sanders Lake 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 Sanders Lake Dam
Where does the data for Sanders Lake 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 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 Sanders Lake Dam.