Lake Townsend Dam dam
Lake Townsend Dam
Lake Townsend Dam, located in Guilford, North Carolina, is a vital structure managed by the local government for recreation and water supply purposes. Built in 1969, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 30.9 feet and a structural height of 40.9 feet, impounding the waters of the Reedy Fork River to create a surface area of 1635 acres. With a normal storage capacity of 20274 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 38285 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in managing the water resources in the region.
Despite its satisfactory condition assessment as of January 2021, Lake Townsend Dam is categorized with a high hazard potential, reflecting the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure public safety. The dam has a drainage area of 65972 acres and a maximum discharge capacity of 86100 cubic feet per second, highlighting its significance in flood control and water management. The dam is regulated by the North Carolina Dam Safety Program, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement processes in place to uphold safety standards and operational integrity.
With its primary purpose being recreation, Lake Townsend Dam serves as a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. Situated in Ossipee, the dam offers opportunities for boating, fishing, and other water-based activities, contributing to the local economy and community well-being. As a key component of the water infrastructure in Guilford County, Lake Townsend Dam exemplifies the intersection of water resource management, climate resilience, and recreational enjoyment in the region.
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 Townsend Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Buffalo Creek Near Greensboro | 5 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek At Sr2819 Nr Mcleansville | 40 cfs | → |
| Reedy Fork Near Gibsonville | 2 cfs | → |
| North Buffalo Creek At Church St At Greensboro | 3 cfs | → |
| Horsepen Creek At Us 220 Nr Greensboro | 1 cfs | → |
| N Buffalo Cr At Westover Terrace At Greensboro | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Townsend Dam.
Boat launches
- Homeview Road Burlington
- Haw River Trail Alamance County
- Island Trail Alamance County
- Belews Lake Drive 8191, Belews Creek
- Pine Hall Road 2547-2793, Walnut Cove
- Bethlehem Church Road 587, Eden
Campgrounds
- Lake Reidsville Rec Park
- Shallow Ford Campsites
- Hagan-Stone Park
- Oak Hollow City Campground
- Sunset Park Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Lake Townsend 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 Townsend Dam
Where does the data for Lake Townsend 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 Lake Townsend Dam.