King Lake Dam dam
King Lake Dam
King Lake Dam, located in Chatham, North Carolina, stands as a significant structure with a primary purpose of recreation while also serving as a water supply source. Completed in 1948, this earth dam boasts a hydraulic height of 17 feet and a structural height of 20 feet, providing storage capacity of 140 acre-feet. The dam's condition was last assessed as satisfactory in January 2014, with a significant hazard potential necessitating regular inspections every two years.
The dam, situated on Ward Branch with a surface area of 7 acres, plays a crucial role in the region's water management and recreational activities. With a maximum discharge capacity of 38 cubic feet per second, the dam ensures efficient water flow control and storage for both local residents and visitors. Despite its age, King Lake Dam continues to meet regulatory standards, with the North Carolina Dam Safety Program overseeing its permitting, inspection, and enforcement processes.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, King Lake Dam serves as a beacon of sustainable water management practices and recreational opportunities in North Carolina. With its history dating back to the mid-20th century, the dam stands as a testament to the importance of maintaining and monitoring critical infrastructure for the benefit of both humans and the environment. The dam's proximity to the city of Haywood makes it a valuable asset for the community, providing essential water storage and recreational amenities while adhering to state regulatory guidelines for safety and efficiency.
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 King Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Haw River Near Bynum | 131 cfs | → |
| Morgan Creek Near Chapel Hill | 8 cfs | → |
| White Oak Cr At Mouth Near Green Level | · | → |
| New Hope Creek Near Blands | 12 cfs | → |
| Morgan Creek Near White Cross | 0 cfs | → |
| Deep River At Moncure | 84 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near King Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Ferrington Boat Ramp, Chapel Hill
- Hanks Chapel Road 2765, Town Of Pittsboro
- Jordan Dam Road 935, Chatham County
- Bartley Holleman Road 3519-3621, New Hill
- Crosspoint Road 388, New Hill
- Highway 42 1-199, Sanford
Campgrounds
- Parkers Creek State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- Poplar Point State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- Crosswinds State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- William B. Umstead State Park
- San Lee County Park
- Rolling View - Falls Lake
Fishing spots
Track King 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 King Lake Dam
Where does the data for King 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 Significant 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 King Lake Dam.