Shaw Lake Dam dam
Shaw Lake Dam
Shaw Lake Dam, located in Raleigh, North Carolina, is a privately owned earth dam primarily used for recreation purposes. Completed in 1972, this dam has a hydraulic height of 20 feet and a structural height of 25 feet, with a length of 450 feet. It has a storage capacity of 55 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 48 acre-feet. The dam sits on Honeycutt Creek, offering a serene and picturesque setting for visitors to enjoy various recreational activities.
Despite its tranquil appearance, Shaw Lake Dam has been classified with a high hazard potential due to its location and structure. However, the dam's condition assessment as of February 2020 was deemed satisfactory. Regular inspections are conducted, with the last one taking place in February 2020, and the dam is regulated and permitted by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program. The dam's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) status and risk assessment are currently not available, but measures are likely in place to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure in case of an emergency.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will appreciate Shaw Lake Dam not only for its recreational opportunities but also for its role in water management and safety. With its location on Honeycutt Creek and its high hazard potential, the dam serves as a reminder of the importance of proper maintenance and regulatory oversight in safeguarding our water resources. As visitors enjoy the beauty of Shaw Lake, they can also reflect on the delicate balance between human enjoyment and environmental responsibility in managing our water infrastructure.
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 Shaw Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Crabtree Creek At Hwy 70 At Raleigh | 13 cfs | → |
| Crabtree Cr At Ebenezer Church Rd Nr Raleigh | 14 cfs | → |
| Neuse River Near Falls | 123 cfs | → |
| Crabtree Creek At Us 1 At Raleigh | 17 cfs | → |
| Marsh C Nr New Hope | 1 cfs | → |
| Rocky Branch Below Pullen Drive At Raleigh | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Shaw Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Barton's Creek Boat Ramp
- Falls Lake Trail Wake County
- Neuse River Trail Raleigh
- Lake Trail Wake County
- Durham County
- Walnut Creek Trail Raleigh
Campgrounds
- Durant Nature Park
- William B. Umstead State Park
- Blue Heron Campground
- Osprey Nest Campground
- Bootleg Point Campground
- Shoreline Campground
Track Shaw 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 Shaw Lake Dam
Where does the data for Shaw 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 Shaw Lake Dam.