Cape Fear River Lock And Dam 1 dam
Cape Fear River Lock And Dam 1
Cape Fear River Lock and Dam 1, located in NAVASSA, North Carolina, is a federal-owned structure managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Completed in 1915, this concrete dam serves primarily for navigation purposes on the Cape Fear River. With a height of 23 feet and a length of 375 feet, the dam has a capacity to store up to 20,000 acre-feet of water, covering a surface area of 1400 acres and draining a watershed of 5255 square miles.
Although the dam is categorized with a low hazard potential, its risk assessment is marked as high, indicating a need for active management and monitoring. The USACE implements various risk management measures to address potential flood risks associated with the dam, including conducting regular inspections, updating emergency action plans, and collaborating with local emergency managers to raise awareness and prepare for any dam-related emergencies. Despite its limited water storage capacity, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water levels and mitigating flood risks in the region.
As climate change brings about more severe weather events and unpredictable water levels, the importance of structures like Cape Fear River Lock and Dam 1 in maintaining water resources and protecting communities becomes increasingly evident. The ongoing efforts by the US Army Corps of Engineers to manage risks associated with the dam and ensure its structural integrity are crucial for safeguarding both the natural environment and human populations in the Cape Fear River watershed.
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 Cape Fear River Lock And Dam 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Fear R At Lock #1 Nr Kelly | 1,410 cfs | → |
| Black River Near Tomahawk | 80 cfs | → |
| Waccamaw River At Freeland | 7 cfs | → |
| Big Swamp Nr Tarheel | 10 cfs | → |
| Lumber River At Boardman | 251 cfs | → |
| Northeast Cape Fear River Near Chinquapin | 43 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cape Fear River Lock And Dam 1.
Track Cape Fear River Lock And Dam 1 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 Cape Fear River Lock And Dam 1
Where does the data for Cape Fear River Lock And Dam 1 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 Cape Fear River Lock And Dam 1.