Washburn Lake Dam Dam
Washburn Lake Dam
Washburn Lake Dam, located in the town of Foushee in Rockingham, North Carolina, serves as a crucial irrigation source in the region. Built in 1950, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 31 feet, with a structural height of 35 feet and a length of 1500 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 123 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 109 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 8.8 acres. Troublesome Creek-Tr runs through the area, reflecting the dam's importance in water resource management.
Managed by a private entity, Washburn Lake Dam is regulated by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program. The dam is regularly inspected, with the last assessment conducted in February 2018, rating its condition as fair with a low hazard potential. While the dam has not been modified in recent years, it continues to provide vital irrigation water to the surrounding area. With its strategic location and functional design, Washburn Lake Dam plays a significant role in sustaining agricultural activities and water resources in the region.
Despite its age, Washburn Lake Dam remains a reliable structure, meeting regulatory guidelines and ensuring the safety of downstream communities. The dam's emergency action plan status and risk assessment measures are currently unspecified, indicating a potential area for further development to enhance its overall resilience. As climate change impacts water resources, efforts to maintain and upgrade dams like Washburn Lake Dam are crucial in safeguarding against potential risks and ensuring sustainable water management practices for the future.
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 Washburn Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Reedy Fork Near Gibsonville | 9 cfs | → |
| Dan River Near Wentworth | 266 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek At Sr2819 Nr Mcleansville | 43 cfs | → |
| North Buffalo Creek Near Greensboro | 4 cfs | → |
| Horsepen Creek At Us 220 Nr Greensboro | 1 cfs | → |
| North Buffalo Creek At Church St At Greensboro | 2 cfs | → |
About Washburn Lake Dam
Where does the data for Washburn 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 below 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.
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.