Melva Brook Pond Lower Dam dam
Melva Brook Pond Lower Dam
Melva Brook Pond Lower Dam, located in Clinton, North Carolina, is a privately owned structure regulated by the NCDEQ Dam Safety Program. This earth dam, with a hydraulic height of 13.3 feet and a structural height of 18.3 feet, serves primarily for recreation purposes, providing storage of up to 37 acre-feet of water. The dam, constructed on Rowan Branch-Tr river, covers a surface area of 5 acres and has a length of 420 feet.
Despite its recreational value, Melva Brook Pond Lower Dam poses a high hazard potential according to its last inspection in November 2020, which also assessed its condition as poor. With an inspection frequency of every 2 years, this dam requires attention to ensure its structural integrity and the safety of the surrounding area. Although no emergency action plan (EAP) has been prepared to date, it is crucial for stakeholders to address the risk management measures and update the necessary guidelines to mitigate potential hazards.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the critical role dams like Melva Brook Pond Lower Dam play in providing recreational opportunities while also posing risks highlights the importance of proper maintenance and regulatory oversight. With its location in Sampson County and close proximity to Wilmington District, this dam serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between water resource utilization and the need for effective risk management in the face of changing climatic 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 Melva Brook Pond Lower Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black River Near Tomahawk | 38 cfs | → |
| Northeast Cape Fear River Near Chinquapin | 20 cfs | → |
| Neuse River Near Goldsboro | 269 cfs | → |
| Cape Fear R At Wilm O Huske Lock Nr Tarheel | 614 cfs | → |
| Bear Creek At Mays Store | 98 cfs | → |
| Big Swamp Nr Tarheel | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Melva Brook Pond Lower Dam.
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Melva Brook Pond Lower 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 Melva Brook Pond Lower Dam
Where does the data for Melva Brook Pond Lower 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 Melva Brook Pond Lower Dam.