Oldham Lake #1 (Upper) dam
Oldham Lake #1 (Upper)
Oldham Lake #1 (Upper) in Lee, North Carolina is a privately owned recreational lake situated on Lick Creek. The dam, with a structural height of 18 feet, serves the primary purpose of providing a scenic setting for outdoor activities. Managed by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program, the dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced to ensure public safety and environmental compliance.
With a storage capacity of 230 acre-feet, Oldham Lake #1 (Upper) offers a significant hazard potential due to its size and location. Despite being rated in fair condition during the last inspection in February 2020, measures are in place to mitigate risks and ensure emergency preparedness. The dam's emergency action plan and risk management strategies are continuously updated to meet guidelines and protect the surrounding community in case of an unforeseen event.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate Oldham Lake #1 (Upper) as a vital part of the local landscape, providing both recreational opportunities and a focal point for environmental stewardship. The dam's presence highlights the importance of regular inspections, maintenance, and emergency preparation to safeguard the integrity of the structure and the well-being of nearby residents. As a well-maintained and regulated facility, Oldham Lake #1 (Upper) stands as a testament to responsible water resource management in North Carolina.
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 Oldham Lake #1 (Upper) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Deep River At Moncure | 54 cfs | → |
| Buckhorn Creek Nr Corinth | 8 cfs | → |
| Cape Fear River At Lillington | 542 cfs | → |
| Tick Creek Near Mount Vernon Springs | 1 cfs | → |
| Haw River Near Bynum | 118 cfs | → |
| Flat Creek Near Inverness | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Oldham Lake #1 (Upper).
Boat launches
- Highway 42 1-199, Sanford
- Crosspoint Road 388, New Hill
- Jordan Dam Road 935, Chatham County
- Bartley Holleman Road 3519-3621, New Hill
- Carolina Way 956, Harnett County
- Hanks Chapel Road 2765, Town Of Pittsboro
Campgrounds
- San Lee County Park
- Poplar Point State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- Parkers Creek State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- Crosswinds State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- Hickory Campsite
- Sweetgum Campsite
Fishing spots
Track Oldham Lake #1 (Upper) 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 Oldham Lake #1 (Upper)
Where does the data for Oldham Lake #1 (Upper) 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 Oldham Lake #1 (Upper).