Lake Butner dam
Lake Butner
Lake Butner, located in Granville, North Carolina, is a state-regulated reservoir nestled along the Knap Of Reeds Creek. Managed by the NCDEQ Dam Safety Program, this picturesque lake serves as a vital water supply source while also offering recreational opportunities for visitors. With a maximum storage capacity of 10,800 acre-feet and a surface area of 340 acres, Lake Butner provides a serene escape for water resource and climate enthusiasts alike.
Constructed as an earth dam with a hydraulic height of 67 feet and a structural height of 80 feet, Lake Butner boasts a spillway width capable of handling a maximum discharge of 38,000 cubic feet per second. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam's fair condition assessment as of December 2020 indicates ongoing efforts to maintain its safety and integrity. With regular inspections and a robust emergency action plan, Lake Butner remains a well-managed water resource that prioritizes public safety and environmental sustainability.
As a popular destination for outdoor recreation and a crucial water supply asset, Lake Butner stands as a testament to responsible water management in North Carolina. With its scenic surroundings, ample storage capacity, and state-of-the-art dam infrastructure, this reservoir serves as a shining example of balancing human needs with environmental stewardship in the face of a changing climate. Whether visitors come for a day of fishing or to admire the natural beauty of the area, Lake Butner continues to be a beloved and well-maintained water resource for all to enjoy.
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 Butner -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Knap Of Reeds Creek Near Butner | 7 cfs | → |
| Flat River At Dam Near Bahama | 2 cfs | → |
| Flat River Trib Nr Willardville | 0 cfs | → |
| Flat River At Bahama | 24 cfs | → |
| Little R Bl Little R Trib At Fairntosh | 49 cfs | → |
| Mountain Creek At Sr1617 Nr Bahama | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Butner.
Boat launches
- Rodolphe Street 6122, Durham
- Hickory Hill Boat Ramp
- Ledge Rock Boat Ramp, Creedmoor
- Baptist Route 4398, Durham County
- Duck Cove Trail Wake County
- Creedmoor Road 13900, Town Of Wake Forest
Campgrounds
- Redwood Campsite
- Rolling View - Falls Lake
- Holly Point - Falls Lake
- Two Oaks Campground
- Overlook Campground
- Shortleaf Pine Campground
Track Lake Butner 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 Butner
Where does the data for Lake Butner 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 Butner.