John Bunch Lake Dam dam
John Bunch Lake Dam
John Bunch Lake Dam, located in Farmer, North Carolina, serves as a vital water supply source for the region. Completed in 1942, this earth dam stands at a structural height of 47 feet with a hydraulic height of 33 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 471 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its integrity.
The dam's primary purpose is water supply, and it impounds Cedar Fork Creek in Randolph County. With a drainage area of 1626 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area. Despite being rated as having a high hazard potential, the dam is currently in fair condition, as assessed during the most recent inspection in January 2021.
As a key infrastructure for water management in the region, John Bunch Lake Dam provides not only water supply but also plays a role in flood control and ecosystem management. With its strategic location and capacity, the dam contributes to the resilience of the local water system and is an essential asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts to monitor and support for sustainable water management practices 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 John Bunch Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Deep River At Ramseur | 13 cfs | → |
| Rocky R At Sr1300 Nr Crutchfield Crossroads | 2 cfs | → |
| Ryan Creek Below Us 220 At Greensboro | 0 cfs | → |
| Abbotts Creek At Lexington | 31 cfs | → |
| South Buffalo Creek At Us 220 At Greensboro | 2 cfs | → |
| East Fork Deep River Near High Point | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near John Bunch Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Thom-A-Lex Park
- Marina Drive 298, Montgomery County
- Wildlife Rec Area Access Road 899, Davidson County
- Cove Boat Ramp
- Old Whitney Boat Ramp
- Badin Lake Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Camp 7
- Camp 8b
- Hagan-Stone Park
- East Morris Mountain
- Oak Hollow City Campground
- West Morris Mtn. Campground
Fishing spots
Track John Bunch 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 John Bunch Lake Dam
Where does the data for John Bunch 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 John Bunch Lake Dam.