Lake Laurel Dam dam
Lake Laurel Dam
Lake Laurel Dam, located in Elkin, North Carolina, is a privately owned structure on Mill Creek primarily used for recreation. The dam, classified as an Earth type structure, has a hydraulic height of 40 feet and a structural height of 48 feet, with a storage capacity of 268.8 acre-feet. With a surface area of 14 acres, the dam serves as a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts to engage in various water-based activities.
Managed by the North Carolina Dam Safety Program, Lake Laurel Dam undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and structural integrity. The dam has a low hazard potential and has been assessed to be in fair condition as of the last inspection date in February 2020. Despite its remote location, the dam poses minimal risk to the surrounding areas, with emergency preparedness plans being regularly updated to meet safety guidelines.
Surrounded by the picturesque landscape of Surry County, Lake Laurel Dam stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of water resource management and recreational enjoyment. Its serene waters and well-maintained facilities provide a tranquil retreat for visitors while adhering to strict regulatory standards to ensure the safety of both the dam and the community it serves.
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 Laurel Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mitchell River Near State Road | 57 cfs | → |
| Yadkin River At Elkin | 521 cfs | → |
| Fisher River Near Copeland | 177 cfs | → |
| Chestnut Creek At Galax | 23 cfs | → |
| Ararat River At Ararat | 110 cfs | → |
| New River Near Galax | 525 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Laurel Dam.
Boat launches
- Baywood Boat Ramp
- Old River Lane 998, Grayson County
- Farmers Fish Camp Road Alleghany County
- Pattons Mill Lane 1434, Grayson County
- Campground Trail Yadkin County
- Riverside Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Lake Laurel Dam 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 Laurel Dam
Where does the data for Lake Laurel Dam 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 Low 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 Laurel Dam.