Upper Barham Dam dam
Upper Barham Dam
Upper Barham Dam, located in Altamahaw, North Carolina, is a privately owned structure with a primary purpose of fire protection, stock, or small fish pond. This earth-type dam has a hydraulic height of 23 feet and a structural height of 25.8 feet, providing a storage capacity of 23 acre-feet. With a surface area of 2.2 acres and drainage area of 15 square miles, this dam on the Haw River-Tr serves as a vital resource for water management in the region.
Although not regulated by the state, Upper Barham Dam has been inspected for safety, with a low hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment as of November 2013. The dam's emergency action plan status and risk assessment measures are currently unavailable, but its last inspection date indicates a commitment to maintaining its integrity. With a rich history dating back to its completion year, Upper Barham Dam continues to play a crucial role in providing water security for the local community and supporting various recreational activities.
As a significant contributor to the water infrastructure in Rockingham County, Upper Barham Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of climate change. Its strategic location and design underscore the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its continued functionality and safety for both residents and wildlife. With its diverse range of uses and environmental benefits, this dam remains a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to understand the intersection of human development and natural ecosystems.
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 Upper Barham Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Reedy Fork Near Oak Ridge | 3 cfs | → |
| Horsepen Creek At Us 220 Nr Greensboro | 1 cfs | → |
| Dan R At Pine Hall | 129 cfs | → |
| Dan River Near Wentworth | 319 cfs | → |
| North Buffalo Creek At Church St At Greensboro | 3 cfs | → |
| N Buffalo Cr At Westover Terrace At Greensboro | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Barham Dam.
Boat launches
- Pine Hall Road 2547-2793, Walnut Cove
- Belews Lake Drive 8191, Belews Creek
- Us Bus 220 Boat Access Stoneville
- Bethlehem Church Road 587, Eden
- South Fieldcrest Road Draper Village
- Homeview Road Burlington
Campgrounds
- Lake Reidsville Rec Park
- Oak Hollow City Campground
- Sunset Park Campground
- Shallow Ford Campsites
- Hagan-Stone Park
- Hanging Rock State Park
Fishing spots
Track Upper Barham 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 Upper Barham Dam
Where does the data for Upper Barham 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 Upper Barham Dam.