Salem Lake Dam dam
Salem Lake Dam
Salem Lake Dam, located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is a key structure along Salem Creek that serves multiple purposes, including recreation and water supply. Completed in 2012, this earth dam stands at a structural height of 37 feet and has a hydraulic height of 23.6 feet. With a normal storage capacity of 3,206 acre-feet and a maximum storage capacity of 9,230 acre-feet, the dam covers a surface area of 297.5 acres and drains an area of 16,724 acres.
The dam is regulated by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program and undergoes regular inspections, with the most recent assessment conducted in February 2021, deeming its condition as fair with a high hazard potential. While there are no associated structures or locks, Salem Lake Dam has a maximum discharge capacity of 35,112 cubic feet per second. Its Emergency Action Plan was last revised in 2012, and the dam meets state permitting and enforcement requirements.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Salem Lake Dam to be a significant part of the local water infrastructure, providing both recreational opportunities and water supply for the community. Its construction and management reflect the commitment to safety and regulatory compliance, ensuring the protection of downstream areas in the event of a dam failure. Located in a picturesque setting, Salem Lake Dam stands as a testament to responsible water resource management in Forsyth County, 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 Salem Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Fork Deep River Near High Point | 2 cfs | → |
| Reedy Fork Near Oak Ridge | 3 cfs | → |
| Yadkin River At Enon | 614 cfs | → |
| Dan R At Pine Hall | 129 cfs | → |
| Horsepen Creek At Us 220 Nr Greensboro | 1 cfs | → |
| Little Yadkin River At Dalton | 5 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Salem Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Belews Lake Drive 8191, Belews Creek
- Lake Thom-A-Lex Park
- Pine Hall Road 2547-2793, Walnut Cove
- Nc Highway 801 South 5877, Mocksville
- Us Bus 220 Boat Access Stoneville
- Trading Ford Way Davidson County
Campgrounds
- Oak Hollow City Campground
- Tanglewood Park
- Sunset Park Campground
- Ymca Camp Hanes
- Hanging Rock State Park
- Pilot Mountain State Park
Fishing spots
Track Salem 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 Salem Lake Dam
Where does the data for Salem 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 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 Salem Lake Dam.