Lake Bay Dam dam
Lake Bay Dam
Lake Bay Dam, located in Pope Field, North Carolina, is a private earth dam primarily used for recreation purposes. Completed in 1948, this dam on James Creek stands at a structural height of 30 feet with a hydraulic height of 26 feet, providing a maximum storage capacity of 347 acre-feet. With a surface area of 29 acres, Lake Bay Dam offers a scenic spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy various recreational activities.
Although not state regulated, Lake Bay Dam has been inspected for safety, with the last assessment conducted in November 2016, deeming its hazard potential as low. The condition assessment remains unrated, but the dam continues to serve its purpose effectively as a recreational site. With a history dating back over 70 years, Lake Bay Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management and the preservation of natural habitats in the face of changing climate patterns.
As a vital part of the local landscape in Moore County, North Carolina, Lake Bay Dam represents a balance between human recreation and environmental preservation. Despite not being state regulated, the dam's maintenance and safety inspections ensure its continued functionality for visitors and wildlife alike. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lake Bay Dam offers a unique opportunity to appreciate the intersection of human infrastructure with natural ecosystems, highlighting the importance of responsible stewardship in the face of climate challenges.
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 Lake Bay Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Flat Creek Near Inverness | 3 cfs | → |
| Rockfish Creek At Raeford | 41 cfs | → |
| Drowning Creek Near Hoffman | 38 cfs | → |
| Little River At Manchester | 50 cfs | → |
| Lumber River Near Maxton | 164 cfs | → |
| Big Shoe Heel Creek Nr Laurinburg | 26 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Bay Dam.
Boat launches
- Dewberry Drive Whispering Pines
- Shadow Drive 93, Whispering Pines
- Niagara Carthage Road 3326, Whispering Pines
- Carolina Way 956, Harnett County
- Highway 42 1-199, Sanford
Campgrounds
- Hickory Campsite
- Sweetgum Campsite
- Loblolly Campsite
- Camp Durant
- Camp Reeves
- Chalk Banks - Lumber River State Park
Fishing spots
Track Lake Bay 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 Lake Bay Dam
Where does the data for Lake Bay 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 Lake Bay Dam.