Mcewen Estate Dam dam
Mcewen Estate Dam
Mcewen Estate Dam, also known as Waterford Lake, is a private dam located in Alamance, North Carolina, along Back Creek. Completed in 1950, this earth dam stands at a structural height of 24 feet and serves primarily for recreational purposes, with a normal storage capacity of 58 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 142 acre-feet. The dam has a hydraulic height of 17 feet and a length of 480 feet, providing a surface area of 15 acres for leisure activities.
Managed and regulated by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program, Mcewen Estate Dam has a high hazard potential and undergoes regular inspections every two years to ensure its structural integrity. The condition assessment as of December 2020 deemed the dam satisfactory, with emergency action plans in place. In case of any unforeseen events, the dam is equipped to handle a maximum discharge of 4432 cubic feet per second, showcasing its importance in protecting the surrounding community and environment.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Mcewen Estate Dam offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of human engineering and natural ecosystems. Its role in providing recreational opportunities while also safeguarding against potential hazards highlights the delicate balance required in managing water resources. With its storied history and ongoing regulatory oversight, this dam serves as a vital piece of infrastructure in Alamance, North Carolina, showcasing the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of a changing climate.
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 Mcewen Estate Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Creek At Sr2819 Nr Mcleansville | 44 cfs | → |
| Reedy Fork Near Gibsonville | 3 cfs | → |
| Haw River At Haw River | 90 cfs | → |
| North Buffalo Creek Near Greensboro | 5 cfs | → |
| South Buffalo Cr Near Greensboro | 3 cfs | → |
| North Buffalo Creek At Church St At Greensboro | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mcewen Estate Dam.
Boat launches
- Homeview Road Burlington
- Haw River Trail Alamance County
- Island Trail Alamance County
- Haw River Trail Haw River
- Graham Paddle Access Graham
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Mcewen Estate 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 Mcewen Estate Dam
Where does the data for Mcewen Estate 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 Mcewen Estate Dam.