Clapp Lake Dam dam
Clapp Lake Dam
Located in Siler City, North Carolina, Clapp Lake Dam is a privately owned structure built in 1953 primarily for recreational purposes, with secondary use for water supply. This earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 20 feet and a structural height of 25 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 250 acre-feet. The dam spans 510 feet in length and covers a surface area of 18 acres, serving the surrounding community for over half a century.
Managed by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program, Clapp Lake Dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by state authorities to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. Despite being classified as having low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment remains unrated as of the last inspection conducted in 1995. With a drainage area of 308 square miles and a maximum discharge of 148 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region and mitigating potential risks associated with flooding.
As an essential component of the local water infrastructure, Clapp Lake Dam contributes to the conservation of water resources and provides recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. With its strategic location on Lacey Creek and proximity to the Wilmington District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, the dam serves as a vital asset in water management efforts in Chatham County, North Carolina. Environmental enthusiasts and climate advocates can appreciate the role of Clapp Lake Dam in balancing water supply needs with recreational enjoyment while maintaining a commitment to safety and regulatory compliance.
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 Clapp Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky R At Sr1300 Nr Crutchfield Crossroads | 2 cfs | → |
| Tick Creek Near Mount Vernon Springs | 1 cfs | → |
| Deep River At Ramseur | 13 cfs | → |
| Haw River Near Bynum | 118 cfs | → |
| Cane Creek Near Orange Grove | 0 cfs | → |
| Deep River At Moncure | 54 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Clapp Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Lakeview Drive Alamance County
- Haw River Trail Alamance County
- Graham Paddle Access Graham
- Homeview Road Burlington
- Hanks Chapel Road 2765, Town Of Pittsboro
- Haw River Trail Haw River
Campgrounds
- Hagan-Stone Park
- Parkers Creek State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- Poplar Point State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- Crosswinds State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- Shallow Ford Campsites
- San Lee County Park
Fishing spots
Track Clapp 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 Clapp Lake Dam
Where does the data for Clapp 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 Clapp Lake Dam.