Odell Lake Dam dam
Odell Lake Dam
Odell Lake Dam, also known as Bynum Dam, is a historic structure located in Chatham, North Carolina, along the Haw River. Built in 1880, this masonry dam serves a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation. With a structural height of 10 feet and a length of 1061 feet, the dam has a normal storage capacity of 58 acre-feet and a maximum storage capacity of 70 acre-feet.
Despite being privately owned and not state-regulated, Odell Lake Dam has a low hazard potential and has not been rated for its condition as of the last inspection in 1980. The dam's emergency action plan status and risk assessment information are not available, raising questions about its readiness for potential incidents. The dam's location in the Wilmington District and its association with the US Army Corps of Engineers add to its significance for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the management and safety of such infrastructure.
Overall, Odell Lake Dam presents an intriguing case study for those interested in the intersection of historical preservation, hydroelectric power generation, and dam safety. With its unique design, long history, and potential environmental impact on the Haw River, this structure offers a valuable opportunity for further research and analysis in the fields of water resources and climate science.
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 Odell Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Haw River Near Bynum | 123 cfs | → |
| Morgan Creek Near White Cross | 0 cfs | → |
| Deep River At Moncure | 76 cfs | → |
| Morgan Creek Near Chapel Hill | 5 cfs | → |
| New Hope Creek Near Blands | 10 cfs | → |
| White Oak Cr At Mouth Near Green Level | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Odell Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Hanks Chapel Road 2765, Town Of Pittsboro
- Ferrington Boat Ramp, Chapel Hill
- Jordan Dam Road 935, Chatham County
- Lakeview Drive Alamance County
- Bartley Holleman Road 3519-3621, New Hill
- Crosspoint Road 388, New Hill
Campgrounds
- Parkers Creek State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- Poplar Point State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- Crosswinds State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- San Lee County Park
- William B. Umstead State Park
- Rolling View - Falls Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Odell 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 Odell Lake Dam
Where does the data for Odell 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 Odell Lake Dam.