Blanchard Lake Dam #1 dam
Blanchard Lake Dam #1
Blanchard Lake Dam #1 in Harnett, North Carolina, serves as a vital water resource for the region, with a primary purpose of recreation and water supply. Completed in 1943, this private dam stands at a structural height of 50 feet and has a hydraulic height of 47 feet. It has a normal storage capacity of 413 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 422 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 20 acres.
Despite its importance, Blanchard Lake Dam #1 poses a high hazard potential due to its poor condition assessment. The dam is regulated by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program, which conducts regular inspections to ensure its safety. With a drainage area of 454 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 50 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water levels in the Barbeque Swamp.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is essential to monitor the condition of Blanchard Lake Dam #1 closely to prevent any potential risks or emergencies. With its location in the Wilmington District and its association with the Barbeque Swamp, this dam serves as a key infrastructure for water management in the region. By staying informed about its status and maintenance efforts, we can help ensure the safety and sustainability of this important water resource for years to come.
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 Blanchard Lake Dam #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little River At Manchester | 28 cfs | → |
| Flat Creek Near Inverness | 2 cfs | → |
| Cape Fear River At Lillington | 542 cfs | → |
| Buckhorn Creek Nr Corinth | 8 cfs | → |
| Deep River At Moncure | 54 cfs | → |
| Rockfish Creek At Raeford | 30 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Blanchard Lake Dam #1.
Boat launches
- Carolina Way 956, Harnett County
- Highway 42 1-199, Sanford
- Dewberry Drive Whispering Pines
- Shadow Drive 93, Whispering Pines
- Crosspoint Road 388, New Hill
- Niagara Carthage Road 3326, Whispering Pines
Campgrounds
- San Lee County Park
- Smith Lake Army Rv Military - Ft Bragg
- Hickory Campsite
- Sweetgum Campsite
- Poplar Point State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- Camp Durant
Fishing spots
Track Blanchard Lake 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 Blanchard Lake Dam #1
Where does the data for Blanchard Lake 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 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 Blanchard Lake Dam #1.