Murray Lake Dam dam
Murray Lake Dam
Murray Lake Dam, located in Nash, North Carolina, on Turkey Creek, is a private earth dam primarily used for recreation. Built in 1770, the dam stands at a structural height of 12 feet with a hydraulic height of 9 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 120 acre-feet. The dam spans 100 feet in length and covers a surface area of 100 acres, serving as a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts in the city of Samarie.
Despite not being state-regulated, Murray Lake Dam poses a significant hazard potential due to its age and design. However, recent inspections have deemed its condition satisfactory as of April 2014. While there are no associated structures or locks, the dam is equipped with outlet gates for water release. In the event of an emergency, there is no Emergency Action Plan (EAP) prepared, raising concerns about the safety and risk management measures in place for the dam.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Murray Lake Dam presents an intriguing case study of a historic earth dam used for recreation in North Carolina. With its unique design and potential hazards, the dam serves as a reminder of the importance of regular inspections and emergency preparedness to ensure the safety of both the structure and surrounding community. As efforts continue to mitigate risks and improve safety measures, Murray Lake Dam remains a focal point for those interested in water resource management and climate resilience.
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 Murray Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Contentnea Creek Near Lucama | 38 cfs | → |
| Tar R At Us 401 At Louisburg | 18 cfs | → |
| Neuse River Near Clayton | 242 cfs | → |
| Swift Creek At Hilliardston | 858 cfs | → |
| Tar River At Nc 97 At Rocky Mount | 76 cfs | → |
| Neuse River Near Falls | 123 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Murray Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Neuse River Trail Raleigh
- Milburnie Dam Bridge Raleigh
- Neuse River Trail Wake County
- Buffalo Creek Greenway Smithfield
- Barton's Creek Boat Ramp
- Falls Lake Trail Wake County
Campgrounds
- Durant Nature Park
- Rvacation Campground
- Shoreline Campground
- Bootleg Point Campground
- Osprey Nest Campground
- Overlook Campground
Track Murray 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 Murray Lake Dam
Where does the data for Murray 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 Significant 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 Murray Lake Dam.