Burkhead Lake Dam #1 dam
Burkhead Lake Dam #1
Burkhead Lake Dam #1, located in Alma, Montgomery County, North Carolina, serves as an essential structure for irrigation purposes along Drowning Creek-Os. Built in 1955, this earth dam stands at a structural height of 20 feet with a hydraulic height of 16 feet. With a storage capacity of 67 acre-feet, it covers a surface area of 6 acres and boasts a normal storage level of 56 acre-feet. The dam has a low hazard potential and was last assessed to be in fair condition in 2013.
Managed by a private entity, Burkhead Lake Dam #1 undergoes regular state inspections to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam does not fall under state regulation or jurisdiction, but it is equipped with outlet gates and has a maximum discharge capacity of 82 cubic feet per second. Despite its age, the dam has not undergone any significant modifications over the years and does not currently have an Emergency Action Plan in place. With its strategic location and historical significance in the region's irrigation infrastructure, Burkhead Lake Dam #1 remains a vital asset for water resource management in the area.
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 Burkhead Lake Dam #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little River Near Star | 5 cfs | → |
| Drowning Creek Near Hoffman | 14 cfs | → |
| Pee Dee R Nr Rockingham | 1,900 cfs | → |
| Rocky River Near Norwood | 112 cfs | → |
| Deep River At Ramseur | 13 cfs | → |
| Tick Creek Near Mount Vernon Springs | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Burkhead Lake Dam #1.
Boat launches
- Lilly’S Bridge Access Area
- Morrow Mountain Boat Launch
- Niagara Carthage Road 3326, Whispering Pines
- Falls Road Stanly County
- Shadow Drive 93, Whispering Pines
- Dewberry Drive Whispering Pines
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Blewett Falls Lake Grassy Island
- Big Branch
- Aberdeen Town Lake
- Broadacres Lake
- Broadacres Lakes
- Arrowhead Lake
Track Burkhead Lake Dam #1 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 Burkhead Lake Dam #1
Where does the data for Burkhead Lake Dam #1 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 Burkhead Lake Dam #1.