Wood Lake Dam dam
Wood Lake Dam
Wood Lake Dam in Worthville, North Carolina, is a private concrete structure built in 1930 primarily for recreational purposes. Situated on the Polecat Creek-Tr river, the dam stands at a hydraulic height of 14 feet and a structural height of 15 feet, with a length of 328 feet. It has a storage capacity of 90 acre-feet and serves as a popular spot for outdoor activities in Guilford County.
The dam, owned privately, is regulated and inspected by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, its condition was assessed as fair during the last inspection in November 2018. The dam is designed to withstand discharge rates of up to 83 cubic feet per second, serving as a crucial structure for water resource management in the region.
With its picturesque location and integral role in providing recreational opportunities, Wood Lake Dam is a significant landmark in Guilford County. Its historical significance, combined with its functionality for water storage and management, makes it a vital asset for both local residents and visitors who appreciate the intersection of water resources and climate in this beautiful part of North Carolina.
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 Wood Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ryan Creek Below Us 220 At Greensboro | 0 cfs | → |
| South Buffalo Creek At Us 220 At Greensboro | 2 cfs | → |
| South Buffalo Creek Nr Pomona | 1 cfs | → |
| South Buffalo Cr Near Greensboro | 3 cfs | → |
| N Buffalo Cr At Westover Terrace At Greensboro | 1 cfs | → |
| North Buffalo Creek At Church St At Greensboro | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wood Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Homeview Road Burlington
- Lake Thom-A-Lex Park
- Haw River Trail Alamance County
- Island Trail Alamance County
- Belews Lake Drive 8191, Belews Creek
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters 1 Mile Above Montgomery County Line To Confluence With Uwharrie River
- Headwaters South Of High Point And Guilford County Line To Confluence With Pee Dee River
More reservoirs
Track Wood 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 Wood Lake Dam
Where does the data for Wood 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 Wood Lake Dam.