Lake Trace dam
Lake Trace
Lake Trace, located in Lee County, North Carolina, is a privately owned reservoir on the Little River that serves primarily for recreational purposes. With a maximum storage capacity of 9,645 acre-feet and a surface area of 330 acres, the dam was completed in 1971 and stands at a structural height of 30 feet. The reservoir has a significant hazard potential and an unsatisfactory condition assessment as of August 2020, prompting biennial inspections to ensure public safety.
Managed by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program, Lake Trace falls under state jurisdiction, with permitting, inspection, and enforcement protocols in place to regulate its operation. The dam's hydraulic height reaches 18 feet, with a drainage area of 34,048 acres and a maximum discharge capacity of 42,185 cubic feet per second. Despite its critical status, the lake provides a serene setting for outdoor activities and water recreation, attracting enthusiasts and nature lovers alike to its picturesque surroundings along the scenic Little River.
As a vital water resource in the region, Lake Trace offers a tranquil escape for visitors seeking to enjoy the beauty of its natural landscape. While facing regulatory challenges and safety concerns, the reservoir remains a popular destination for fishing, boating, and leisure activities, highlighting the delicate balance between conservation efforts and recreational enjoyment in the face of climate uncertainties. Explore the charm of Lake Trace and immerse yourself in the wonders of sustainable water management and climate resilience in this idyllic North Carolina setting.
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 Trace -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Buckhorn Creek Nr Corinth | 7 cfs | → |
| Deep River At Moncure | 76 cfs | → |
| Cape Fear River At Lillington | 554 cfs | → |
| Little River At Manchester | 31 cfs | → |
| Flat Creek Near Inverness | 2 cfs | → |
| Haw River Near Bynum | 123 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Trace.
Boat launches
- Carolina Way 956, Harnett County
- Highway 42 1-199, Sanford
- Crosspoint Road 388, New Hill
- Jordan Dam Road 935, Chatham County
- Bartley Holleman Road 3519-3621, New Hill
- Dewberry Drive Whispering Pines
Campgrounds
- San Lee County Park
- Smith Lake Army Rv Military - Ft Bragg
- Poplar Point State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- Parkers Creek State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- Crosswinds State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- Hickory Campsite
Fishing spots
Track Lake Trace 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 Trace
Where does the data for Lake Trace 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 Significant 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 Trace.