Slack Lake Dam dam
Slack Lake Dam
Slack Lake Dam, located in High Falls, North Carolina, is a privately owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS for recreational purposes along Lambert Creek. This earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 10.9 feet and a structural height of 16.6 feet, providing a maximum storage capacity of 50 acre-feet. Despite being uncontrolled, the spillway and outlet gates contribute to its low hazard potential, with a satisfactory condition assessment reported in 2016.
With a surface area of 5 acres and a drainage area yet to be specified, Slack Lake Dam offers a serene environment for water resource and climate enthusiasts in the Randolph County area. Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this dam plays a vital role in water conservation and recreational activities in the region. While it poses a moderate risk, the dam's risk management measures and regular inspections ensure its continued safety and functionality for the community.
Visitors to Slack Lake Dam can enjoy the tranquil waters and picturesque surroundings, knowing that this essential piece of infrastructure is well-maintained and monitored. As a key feature in the local landscape, this dam serves as a testament to the intersection of human ingenuity and environmental stewardship, providing a valuable resource for both residents and nature enthusiasts alike.
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 Slack Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little River Near Star | 7 cfs | → |
| Deep River At Ramseur | 74 cfs | → |
| Tick Creek Near Mount Vernon Springs | 1 cfs | → |
| Rocky R At Sr1300 Nr Crutchfield Crossroads | 2 cfs | → |
| Abbotts Creek At Lexington | 35 cfs | → |
| Ryan Creek Below Us 220 At Greensboro | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Slack Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Cove Boat Ramp
- Morrow Mountain Boat Launch
- Falls Road Stanly County
- Marina Drive 298, Montgomery County
- Old Whitney Boat Ramp
- Badin Lake Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Badin Lake Lakemont Rd
- Buddle Branch
- Abbotts Creek
- Aberdeen Town Lake
- Blewett Falls Lake Grassy Island
- Big Branch
Track Slack 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 Slack Lake Dam
Where does the data for Slack 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 Slack Lake Dam.