Piatt Lake Dam dam
Piatt Lake Dam
Piatt Lake Dam, located in Bethania, North Carolina, is a private earth dam built in 1960 primarily for recreational purposes. Situated on Muddy Creek, the dam has a hydraulic height of 30 feet and a structural height of 35 feet, creating a reservoir with a normal storage capacity of 144 acre-feet. The dam spans 1434 feet and covers an area of 11 acres, offering a serene retreat for water resource and climate enthusiasts.
Although Piatt Lake Dam is not state-regulated, it is subject to regular inspections, with the last assessment conducted in November 2013, indicating a fair condition and low hazard potential. With a maximum discharge capacity of 188 cubic feet per second, the dam serves as a vital recreational area in Forsyth County, attracting visitors seeking outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. Despite its modest scale, the dam plays a significant role in enhancing the local ecosystem and providing a valuable recreational resource for the community.
Managed by private owners, Piatt Lake Dam stands as a testament to responsible stewardship of water resources and environmental conservation. The dam's historical significance, coupled with its functional design and scenic surroundings, make it a must-visit destination for those interested in exploring the intersection of water management, climate resilience, and sustainable recreation.
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 Piatt Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Yadkin River At Dalton | 7 cfs | → |
| Yadkin River At Enon | 670 cfs | → |
| Dan R At Pine Hall | 140 cfs | → |
| Ararat River At Ararat | 110 cfs | → |
| Reedy Fork Near Oak Ridge | 3 cfs | → |
| Dan River Near Francisco | 59 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Piatt Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Belews Lake Drive 8191, Belews Creek
- Pine Hall Road 2547-2793, Walnut Cove
- Lake Thom-A-Lex Park
- Campground Trail Yadkin County
- Nc Highway 801 South 5877, Mocksville
- Us Bus 220 Boat Access Stoneville
Campgrounds
- Ymca Camp Hanes
- Pilot Mountain State Park
- Hanging Rock State Park
- Tanglewood Park
- Sunset Park Campground
- Oak Hollow City Campground
Fishing spots
Track Piatt Lake 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 Piatt Lake Dam
Where does the data for Piatt Lake 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 Piatt Lake Dam.