Mott Lake Dam dam
Mott Lake Dam
Mott Lake Dam, also known as Bragg-004, is a federal structure located in Spring Lake, North Carolina. Built in 1937 by the US Army, this earth dam on Nicholson Creek serves multiple purposes including fish and wildlife pond, recreation, and other uses. With a height of 20 feet and a length of 1890 feet, the dam provides a normal storage capacity of 629 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 1882 acre-feet.
The dam has a high hazard potential due to its location and design, with uncontrolled spillways and outlets. Despite its age, Mott Lake Dam is regularly inspected by the US Army, with the last inspection conducted in November 2017. A risk assessment classifies the dam's risk level as moderate (3), prompting the need for ongoing monitoring and potential risk management measures. While the condition assessment is currently not available, the emergency action plan was last revised in November 2018.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the historical significance and ecological impact of Mott Lake Dam. Its role in providing a habitat for fish and wildlife, as well as recreational opportunities, showcases the importance of balancing human needs with environmental stewardship. As a federally-owned and operated structure, the dam's management and maintenance by the US Army ensure the safety and functionality of this critical water resource infrastructure in North Carolina's Hoke County.
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 Mott Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rockfish Creek At Raeford | 30 cfs | → |
| Flat Creek Near Inverness | 2 cfs | → |
| Little River At Manchester | 28 cfs | → |
| Drowning Creek Near Hoffman | 12 cfs | → |
| Lumber River Near Maxton | 88 cfs | → |
| Big Shoe Heel Creek Nr Laurinburg | 14 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mott Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Dewberry Drive Whispering Pines
- Shadow Drive 93, Whispering Pines
- Niagara Carthage Road 3326, Whispering Pines
- Carolina Way 956, Harnett County
Campgrounds
- Chalk Banks - Lumber River State Park
- Smith Lake Army Rv Military - Ft Bragg
- Hickory Campsite
- Sweetgum Campsite
- Loblolly Campsite
- Camp Durant
Fishing spots
Track Mott 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 Mott Lake Dam
Where does the data for Mott 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 High 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 Mott Lake Dam.