Burke Dam dam
Burke Dam
Burke Dam, located in Swepsonville, North Carolina, serves as a vital structure for debris control along the Quaker Creek-Tr river. Built in 1981 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 19.8 feet and a structural height of 26.9 feet, with a total length of 350 feet. With a maximum storage capacity of 148 acre-feet and a normal storage of 65 acre-feet, the dam covers a surface area of 8.8 acres and drains a vast area of 613 acres.
Despite its age, Burke Dam has shown a satisfactory condition assessment as of December 2012, with a low hazard potential. The dam's uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates contribute to its efficient debris control function. With moderate risk management measures in place, Burke Dam continues to play a crucial role in protecting the surrounding environment and water resources. The Wilmington District of the US Army Corps of Engineers oversees this significant structure, ensuring its proper maintenance and operation for the benefit of the community.
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 Burke Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Haw River At Haw River | 90 cfs | → |
| Cane Creek Near Orange Grove | 0 cfs | → |
| Eno River At Hillsborough | 7 cfs | → |
| Reedy Fork Near Gibsonville | 3 cfs | → |
| Morgan Creek Near White Cross | 0 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek At Sr2819 Nr Mcleansville | 51 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Burke Dam.
Boat launches
- Haw River Trail Haw River
- Graham Paddle Access Graham
- Haw River Trail Alamance County
- Island Trail Alamance County
- Lakeview Drive Alamance County
Campgrounds
- Shallow Ford Campsites
- Lake Reidsville Rec Park
- Hagan-Stone Park
- Parkers Creek State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
Fishing spots
Track Burke 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 Burke Dam
Where does the data for Burke 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 Low 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 Burke Dam.