Back Creek Reservoir dam
Back Creek Reservoir
Back Creek Reservoir in Haw River, North Carolina, is a vital water supply source that was completed in 1991. The reservoir, situated on East Back Creek, serves as a key water resource for the local community, with a storage capacity of 10,645 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 7,057 acre-feet. The dam, standing at a structural height of 40.3 feet and a hydraulic height of 27 feet, plays a crucial role in ensuring water availability for residents and businesses in Alamance County.
Managed by local government authorities and regulated by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) Dam Safety Program, Back Creek Reservoir undergoes regular inspections to maintain its satisfactory condition and high hazard potential. With a drainage area of 42,240 acres and a surface area of 646 acres, the reservoir plays a significant role in managing water resources in the region. The dam's maximum discharge capacity of 811,292 cubic feet per second underscores its importance in flood control and water management efforts.
The location of Back Creek Reservoir, along with its strategic design and operational efficiency, highlights its critical role in water supply management for the region. As a key component of the local water infrastructure, the reservoir stands as a testament to effective water resource management practices and the importance of maintaining safe and reliable water sources 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 Back Creek Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Haw River At Haw River | 90 cfs | → |
| Cane Creek Near Orange Grove | 0 cfs | → |
| Eno River At Hillsborough | 7 cfs | → |
| Reedy Fork Near Gibsonville | 3 cfs | → |
| Morgan Creek Near White Cross | 0 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek At Sr2819 Nr Mcleansville | 51 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Back Creek Reservoir.
⚓ Boat launches
- Haw River Trail Haw River
- Graham Paddle Access Graham
- Haw River Trail Alamance County
- Island Trail Alamance County
- Lakeview Drive Alamance County
⛺ Campgrounds
- Shallow Ford Campsites
- Lake Reidsville Rec Park
- Hagan-Stone Park
- Parkers Creek State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
🎣 Fishing spots
More fishing →Track Back Creek Reservoir 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 Back Creek Reservoir
Where does the data for Back Creek Reservoir 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 Back Creek Reservoir.