Cotton Pond Dam dam
Cotton Pond Dam
Cotton Pond Dam, located in Durham, North Carolina, is a private earth dam primarily used for irrigation purposes. The dam stands at a structural height of 14 feet and stretches 273 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 14 acre-feet. While the dam is not state-regulated, it is inspected periodically to ensure its safety and integrity. The dam is situated along the Stirrup Iron Creek-Tr river and is managed by private owners.
Despite its non-state regulated status, Cotton Pond Dam poses a significant hazard potential, emphasizing the importance of regular inspections and maintenance. The last recorded inspection of the dam was conducted in March 1993, indicating a need for updated assessments to ensure the safety of the surrounding area. The dam's condition is currently listed as "Not Rated," suggesting a potential risk that should be addressed through proper risk management measures.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Cotton Pond Dam serves as a noteworthy structure in the region, offering insights into irrigation practices and dam management. With its location in a private setting and historical lack of state regulation, the dam presents a unique case study for understanding the importance of monitoring and maintaining infrastructure to prevent potential hazards. As discussions around water resource management continue, Cotton Pond Dam stands as a reminder of the need for ongoing assessment and risk mitigation strategies in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Cotton Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast Creek At Sr1100 Nr Genlee | 8 cfs | → |
| Ellerbe Creek Near Gorman | 12 cfs | → |
| New Hope Creek Near Blands | 11 cfs | → |
| Crabtree Cr At Ebenezer Church Rd Nr Raleigh | 14 cfs | → |
| Eno River Near Durham | 13 cfs | → |
| Morgan Creek Near Chapel Hill | 6 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cotton Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Trail Wake County
- Durham County
- Baptist Route 4398, Durham County
- Hickory Hill Boat Ramp
- Creedmoor Road 13900, Town Of Wake Forest
- Ledge Rock Boat Ramp, Creedmoor
Campgrounds
- Rolling View - Falls Lake
- William B. Umstead State Park
- Redwood Campsite
- Blue Heron Campground
- Osprey Nest Campground
- Bootleg Point Campground
Track Cotton Pond 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 Cotton Pond Dam
Where does the data for Cotton Pond 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 Cotton Pond Dam.