Woodard-Smith Dam dam
Woodard-Smith Dam
Woodard-Smith Dam, located in Wake County, North Carolina, is a private dam primarily used for recreation purposes. Standing at a structural height of 6 feet, this earth dam holds a storage capacity of 6 acre-feet and is situated along the Walnut Creek-Tr river/stream. Despite being non-state regulated, the dam is subject to state inspections to ensure its safety and integrity.
With a significant hazard potential, Woodard-Smith Dam was last inspected in March 2006 and was deemed to be in "Not Rated" condition at that time. The dam does not have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) prepared, and there is limited information available regarding its risk assessment and management measures. While it does not fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the dam remains an important recreational feature in the area, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts.
As a focal point for outdoor activities and water-based recreation, Woodard-Smith Dam serves as a reminder of the intricate balance between human-made structures and natural water systems. With its unique design and location, the dam provides opportunities for enjoyment and relaxation while also requiring careful monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety of both visitors and the surrounding environment. For those passionate about water resources and climate issues, Woodard-Smith Dam offers a fascinating case study in the intersection of human intervention 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 Woodard-Smith Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Branch Below Pullen Drive At Raleigh | 0 cfs | → |
| Swift Creek Near Apex | 1 cfs | → |
| Crabtree Cr At Ebenezer Church Rd Nr Raleigh | 14 cfs | → |
| Crabtree Creek At Hwy 70 At Raleigh | 13 cfs | → |
| Swift Creek Near Mccullars Crossroads | 13 cfs | → |
| Crabtree Creek At Us 1 At Raleigh | 17 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Woodard-Smith Dam.
Boat launches
- Walnut Creek Trail Raleigh
- Lake Trail Wake County
- Lake Wheeler Boat Ramp
- Milburnie Dam Bridge Raleigh
- Neuse River Trail Wake County
- Neuse River Trail Raleigh
Campgrounds
- William B. Umstead State Park
- Durant Nature Park
- Blue Heron Campground
- Osprey Nest Campground
- Bootleg Point Campground
- Crosswinds State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
Track Woodard-Smith 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 Woodard-Smith Dam
Where does the data for Woodard-Smith 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 Woodard-Smith Dam.