University Place Dam dam
University Place Dam
University Place Dam, located in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a privately owned structure regulated by the NC Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program. Completed in 1985, this earth-type dam serves a primary purpose of recreation and stands at a hydraulic height of 37 feet with a structural height of 45 feet. The dam boasts a storage capacity of 192.6 acre-feet, providing essential water resources for the surrounding community.
With a drainage area of 123 square miles and a maximum discharge of 1027 cubic feet per second, University Place Dam plays a crucial role in managing flood risk and ensuring water availability in the Mallard Creek watershed. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam has been assessed as being in satisfactory condition as of December 2019, with regular inspections and a well-maintained emergency action plan in place. This vital infrastructure supports not only recreational activities but also contributes to the overall water resource management efforts in the region.
As an integral part of the local water infrastructure, University Place Dam underscores the importance of effective dam safety regulations and maintenance practices in mitigating potential risks and safeguarding communities against flooding events. With its strategic location in Mecklenburg County, this dam serves as a key asset for water supply, flood control, and recreational purposes, highlighting the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience. As climate change continues to impact water availability and extreme weather events, the proper management and upkeep of structures like University Place Dam are essential for ensuring the sustainable use of water resources in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 University Place Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mallard Cr Bl Stony Cr Nr Harrisburg | 5 cfs | → |
| Reedy Creek At Sr 2803 Nr Charlotte | · | → |
| Briar Creek Near Charlotte | 1 cfs | → |
| Irwin Cr At Statesville Ave At Charlotte | 1 cfs | → |
| Clarke Creek Near Harrisburg | 2 cfs | → |
| Stewart Creek At State St At Charlotte | 13 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near University Place Dam.
Boat launches
- Neck Road 5744, Huntersville
- Riverbend Boat Ramp
- Nc 73 Mecklenburg County
- East Charlotte Avenue Downtown
- Wilkinson Boulevard Belmont
- Shipley Lane Lincoln County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Mountain Island Park Fishing Access
- Buck Branch
- Abbotts Creek
- Badin Lake Lakemont Rd
- Buddle Branch
- Arrowhead Lake
Track University Place 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 University Place Dam
Where does the data for University Place 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 University Place Dam.