Blanchard Lake Dam #3 dam
Blanchard Lake Dam #3
Blanchard Lake Dam #3, located in Harnett, North Carolina, is a privately owned structure regulated by the NC Department of Environmental Quality Dam Safety Program. Built in 1953 for recreational and water supply purposes, this earth-type dam stands at a hydraulic height of 16 feet and a structural height of 18 feet, with a length of 300 feet. With a storage capacity of 82 acre-feet, the dam's maximum discharge rate is 67 cubic feet per second. Despite its critical role in water management, the dam poses a high hazard potential due to its poor condition assessment.
The dam's location on Barbeque Swamp, a tributary of the Cape Fear River, underscores its importance in the local ecosystem and water supply network. Notably, Blanchard Lake Dam #3 lacks essential safety features such as spillways and outlet gates, raising concerns about its ability to manage floodwaters effectively. The dam's last inspection in September 2020 revealed its deteriorating state, highlighting the urgent need for maintenance and risk management measures to prevent potential failures and protect downstream communities from flooding.
In light of Blanchard Lake Dam #3's high hazard potential and poor condition assessment, stakeholders must prioritize remedial actions to ensure the structure's safety and functionality. Collaboration between the private owner, regulatory agencies, and local communities is essential to develop emergency action plans, conduct risk assessments, and implement necessary upgrades. By addressing the dam's deficiencies and enhancing its resilience to climate impacts, water resource enthusiasts can safeguard the surrounding environment and secure reliable water supplies for future generations.
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 #3 -- 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 #3.
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 #3 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 #3
Where does the data for Blanchard Lake Dam #3 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 #3.