Watson Lake Dam #1 dam
Watson Lake Dam #1
Watson Lake Dam #1, located in Aberdeen, North Carolina, serves as a vital structure for recreational purposes along the Aberdeen Creek. Built in 1928, this earth dam stands at a structural height of 25 feet and a hydraulic height of 21 feet, with a length of 459 feet. With a storage capacity of 579 acre-feet, the dam provides essential water resources for the local area, covering a surface area of 62 acres and draining a 5714-acre watershed.
Managed by a private owner, Watson Lake Dam #1 is regulated and inspected by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam is assessed to be in fair condition as of the latest inspection in January 2021. The dam's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) status, risk assessment, and risk management measures are currently under review, highlighting the importance of ongoing maintenance and monitoring to ensure the safety and integrity of this crucial water resource infrastructure for both recreational and environmental purposes. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Watson Lake Dam #1 to be an intriguing example of the intersection between human infrastructure and natural conservation efforts 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 Watson Lake Dam #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Drowning Creek Near Hoffman | 38 cfs | → |
| Flat Creek Near Inverness | 3 cfs | → |
| Rockfish Creek At Raeford | 41 cfs | → |
| Little River At Manchester | 50 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Star | 7 cfs | → |
| Lumber River Near Maxton | 164 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Watson Lake Dam #1.
Boat launches
- Niagara Carthage Road 3326, Whispering Pines
- Shadow Drive 93, Whispering Pines
- Dewberry Drive Whispering Pines
- Carolina Way 956, Harnett County
- State Road 1759, Lilesville
- West Us 74 Highway 1333, Rockingham
Campgrounds
- Loblolly Campsite
- Hickory Campsite
- Sweetgum Campsite
- Camp Durant
- Camp Reeves
- Chalk Banks - Lumber River State Park
Fishing spots
- Aberdeen Town Lake
- Big Branch
- Broadacres Lakes
- Broadacres Lake
- Baldwins Pond
- Blewett Falls Lake Grassy Island
Track Watson 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 Watson Lake Dam #1
Where does the data for Watson 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 Watson Lake Dam #1.