Lake Hyco Dam dam
Lake Hyco Dam
Lake Hyco Dam, located in Mcgehees Mill, North Carolina, stands as a vital structure on the Hyco River, serving multiple purposes including recreation and water supply. Completed in 1963, this earth dam boasts a hydraulic height of 42 feet and a structural height of 68 feet, with a storage capacity of 160,000 acre-feet. The dam's surface area spans 3,750 acres, providing a scenic backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts and water resource advocates alike.
Maintained by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and the Dam Safety Program, Lake Hyco Dam is subject to regular inspections, with its condition assessed as satisfactory during the latest inspection in October 2020. Despite being categorized with a high hazard potential, the dam's risk management measures and emergency action plan are up to date, ensuring the safety of surrounding communities in the event of a crisis. With a history of serving as a recreational haven and a reliable water source, Lake Hyco Dam stands as a testament to responsible dam management in the face of climate challenges.
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 Hyco Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Hyco R Bl Abay D Nr Mcgehees Mill | 4 cfs | → |
| Dan River At Paces | 626 cfs | → |
| Hyco River Near Denniston | 143 cfs | → |
| Mayo Cr Nr Bethel Hill | 4 cfs | → |
| Hyco Creek Near Leasburg | · | → |
| Dan River At South Boston | 643 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Hyco Dam.
Boat launches
- Neal's Store Road 854, Roxboro
- Highway 62, Milton
- Maple Avenue 556, South Boston
- Carters Point Road Mecklenburg County
- Occoneechee Park Road 1198, Mecklenburg County
- Dimmocks Mill Road 920, Town Of Hillsborough
Campgrounds
- Staunton River State Park
- Buffalo Landing - Kerr Reservoir
- Longwood Rec Area - Kerr Reservoir
- Occoneechee State Park
- Equestrian Campground
Track Lake Hyco 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 Lake Hyco Dam
Where does the data for Lake Hyco 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 Lake Hyco Dam.