Lake Monroe Dam dam
Lake Monroe Dam
Lake Monroe Dam, located in Monroe, North Carolina, is a vital structure primarily serving recreational purposes and water supply. Completed in 1955, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 37 feet and a structural height of 46 feet, with a length of 770 feet. It has a maximum storage capacity of 2721 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 1765 acre-feet, ensuring water availability for various activities.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the NCDEQ Dam Safety Program, Lake Monroe Dam poses a high hazard potential and is currently assessed to be in fair condition as of December 2020. With a maximum discharge capacity of 7500 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water levels along Richardson Creek. Despite its age, regular inspections and enforcement measures are in place to ensure the safety and functionality of this essential water resource infrastructure. As a key component of the Union, North Carolina water system, Lake Monroe Dam continues to be a significant asset for the region's water management and recreational needs.
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 Lake Monroe Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Goose Creek At Sr1525 Nr Indian Trail | 1 cfs | → |
| Goose Cr At Fairview | 14 cfs | → |
| Rocky River Nr Stanfield | 173 cfs | → |
| Waxhaw Creek At Sr1103 Near Jackson | 1 cfs | → |
| Irvins Creek At Sr3168 Nr Charlotte | 1 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek At Sr3181 Nr Mint Hill | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Monroe Dam.
Boat launches
- Catawba Nation Greenway Trail York County
- Waterford Trail Rock Hill
- Lancaster County
- Piedmont Medical Center Trail York County
- New Gray Rock Road Tega Cay
- Windward Drive Tega Cay
Campgrounds
- Williams Farm
- Cane Creek Park
- Andrew Jackson State Park
- Sign Language
- Ebenezer County Park
- Mcdowell Nature Preserve
Fishing spots
- Buck Branch
- Arrowhead Lake
- Blewett Falls Lake Grassy Island
- Mountain Island Park Fishing Access
- Baldwins Pond
- Badin Lake Lakemont Rd
Track Lake Monroe 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 Lake Monroe Dam
Where does the data for Lake Monroe 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 Lake Monroe Dam.