Mayo Lake Dam dam
Mayo Lake Dam
Mayo Lake Dam, located in Person County, North Carolina, serves as a crucial flood risk reduction structure along the Mayo Creek. This public utility dam is regulated by the NC Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program, ensuring its safety and compliance with state regulations. With a hydraulic height of 83 feet and a structural height of 100 feet, Mayo Lake Dam provides a maximum storage capacity of 142,000 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 88,000 acre-feet over a surface area of 2,800 acres.
The dam, constructed with earth materials, spans a length of 2,600 feet and has a high hazard potential rating. Despite this, a recent inspection in September 2020 deemed the dam's condition as satisfactory, with an established emergency action plan in place. With a maximum discharge capacity of 66,100 cubic feet per second, Mayo Lake Dam plays a critical role in protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate management can appreciate the vital role Mayo Lake Dam plays in safeguarding the local community and environment from the impacts of extreme weather events.
As a significant flood risk reduction infrastructure in North Carolina, Mayo Lake Dam stands as a testament to effective dam management and regulatory oversight. With its strategic location and high hazard potential, the dam's satisfactory condition and robust emergency preparedness underscore the importance of proactive risk management in ensuring the safety and resilience of water resource systems. Mayo Lake Dam serves as a symbol of the ongoing efforts to balance water resource utilization with environmental conservation, making it a compelling subject for enthusiasts interested in sustainable water management practices and climate adaptation strategies.
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 Mayo Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mayo Cr Nr Bethel Hill | 4 cfs | → |
| Hyco River Near Denniston | 143 cfs | → |
| Hyco R Bl Abay D Nr Mcgehees Mill | 4 cfs | → |
| Dan River At South Boston | 661 cfs | → |
| Dan River At Paces | 664 cfs | → |
| Banister River At Halifax | 103 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mayo Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Neal's Store Road 854, Roxboro
- Maple Avenue 556, South Boston
- Carters Point Road Mecklenburg County
- Highway 62, Milton
- Occoneechee Park Road 1198, Mecklenburg County
- Ivy Hill Road 3198, Mecklenburg County
Campgrounds
- Staunton River State Park
- Buffalo Landing - Kerr Reservoir
- Longwood Rec Area - Kerr Reservoir
- Occoneechee State Park
- Equestrian Campground
- Ivy Hill Rec Area - Kerr Reservoir
Fishing spots
Track Mayo Lake 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 Mayo Lake Dam
Where does the data for Mayo Lake 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 Mayo Lake Dam.