Oak Cliff Lake Dam dam
Oak Cliff Lake Dam
Oak Cliff Lake Dam, located in Georgeville, North Carolina, is a private dam primarily used for recreation purposes. Completed in 1940, this earth dam stands at a structural height of 26 feet with a hydraulic height of 16 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 96 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 83 acre-feet. With a surface area of 8 acres and a drainage area of 787 square miles, Oak Cliff Lake Dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and providing recreational opportunities for the surrounding community.
Despite its age, Oak Cliff Lake Dam remains in fair condition, with a high hazard potential. Regular inspections by the NCDEQ's Dam Safety Program ensure that the dam meets state regulatory standards for safety and maintenance. The dam has a history of being well-maintained, with the last inspection conducted in February 2021. In the event of an emergency, it is important for the dam owner to have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) prepared to guide response efforts and ensure the safety of downstream communities. Overall, Oak Cliff Lake Dam serves as both a recreational asset and a critical water resource management structure in Cabarrus County.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Oak Cliff Lake Dam represents a fascinating intersection of human engineering and environmental stewardship. As a privately owned dam in a state-regulated jurisdiction, it highlights the importance of balancing recreational needs with safety and regulatory compliance. With a rich history dating back to the mid-20th century, this dam continues to play a vital role in managing water flow along the Dutch Buffalo Creek-Os and providing a picturesque setting for outdoor activities. As climate change impacts water resources, the maintenance and monitoring of dams like Oak Cliff Lake Dam become increasingly crucial in ensuring the resilience and safety of our water infrastructure for future generations.
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 Oak Cliff Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky R Ab Irish Buffalo Cr Nr Rocky River | 46 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek At Sr3181 Nr Mint Hill | 2 cfs | → |
| Rocky River Nr Stanfield | 173 cfs | → |
| Mallard Cr Bl Stony Cr Nr Harrisburg | 5 cfs | → |
| Goose Cr At Fairview | 14 cfs | → |
| Reedy Creek At Sr 2803 Nr Charlotte | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Oak Cliff Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Old Whitney Boat Ramp
- Badin Lake Boat Ramp
- Marina Drive 298, Montgomery County
- Falls Road Stanly County
- Cove Boat Ramp
- Wildlife Rec Area Access Road 899, Davidson County
Campgrounds
- Morrow Mountain State Park
- Deep Water Trailt Horse Camp
- Art Lilley Campground
- Badin Lake Capmground Upper Loop
- Badin Lake
- Badin Lake Campground
Fishing spots
- Abbotts Creek
- Badin Lake Lakemont Rd
- Buddle Branch
- Buck Branch
- Mountain Island Park Fishing Access
- Arrowhead Lake
Track Oak Cliff 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 Oak Cliff Lake Dam
Where does the data for Oak Cliff 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 Oak Cliff Lake Dam.