Lake Marsha dam
Lake Marsha
Lake Marsha, located in Wake County, North Carolina, is a private recreational reservoir situated on White Oak Creek. The dam at Lake Marsha is primarily used for recreation purposes and is classified as an Earth dam with a hydraulic height of 18 feet and a structural height of 21 feet. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 71 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 55 acre-feet and a surface area of 6.6 acres.
Despite being privately owned, Lake Marsha is not regulated by the state and is inspected regularly to ensure its safety. The dam has a low hazard potential and was last assessed to be in satisfactory condition in 2017. The reservoir is a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts seeking recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and picnicking. With its serene surroundings and ample opportunities for outdoor enjoyment, Lake Marsha is a hidden gem for water resource and climate enthusiasts in North Carolina.
In the event of an emergency, Lake Marsha does not currently have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place, but it meets all safety guidelines and is managed efficiently. The reservoir provides a peaceful retreat for visitors looking to connect with nature and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding landscape. Whether you're a fishing enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply seeking a tranquil escape, Lake Marsha offers a unique and refreshing experience for all who visit.
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 Lake Marsha -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White Oak Cr At Mouth Near Green Level | · | → |
| Northeast Creek At Sr1100 Nr Genlee | 8 cfs | → |
| Swift Creek Near Apex | 1 cfs | → |
| New Hope Creek Near Blands | 11 cfs | → |
| Crabtree Cr At Ebenezer Church Rd Nr Raleigh | 14 cfs | → |
| Morgan Creek Near Chapel Hill | 6 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Marsha.
Boat launches
- Ferrington Boat Ramp, Chapel Hill
- Lake Trail Wake County
- Bartley Holleman Road 3519-3621, New Hill
- Lake Wheeler Boat Ramp
- Hanks Chapel Road 2765, Town Of Pittsboro
- Walnut Creek Trail Raleigh
Campgrounds
- Crosswinds State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- Poplar Point State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- Parkers Creek State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- William B. Umstead State Park
- Rolling View - Falls Lake
- Durant Nature Park
Track Lake Marsha 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 Lake Marsha
Where does the data for Lake Marsha 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 Lake Marsha.