Hamlet City Lake Upper Dam dam
Hamlet City Lake Upper Dam
Hamlet City Lake Upper Dam, also known as Water Lake Dam, is a vital structure located in Richmond, North Carolina, serving as a key recreational and water supply resource for the local community. Completed in 1908, this Earth type dam stands at a structural height of 15 feet with a hydraulic height of 10.6 feet, providing a maximum storage capacity of 735 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 447 acre-feet. The dam's reservoir covers 56 acres and is fed by Marks Creek, with a drainage area of 1,978 square miles.
Regulated by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and the Dam Safety Program, Hamlet City Lake Upper Dam has a high hazard potential and is classified in fair condition as of the last assessment in January 2021. The dam undergoes inspections every two years to ensure its safety and functionality, with emergency action plans in place to address any potential risks. Despite its age, the dam continues to play a crucial role in providing recreational opportunities and water supply for the region, showcasing the importance of proper maintenance and management of water resources in the face of changing climate conditions.
Situated in the city of Hamlet, this iconic dam not only serves as a recreational hotspot but also as a reminder of the intricate balance between human development and natural ecosystems. With its rich history dating back over a century, Hamlet City Lake Upper Dam stands as a testament to the resilience of water resource infrastructure and the ongoing efforts to adapt to evolving environmental challenges. As climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates, it is essential to recognize the significance of structures like this dam in sustaining both the community's needs and the surrounding ecological landscape.
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 Hamlet City Lake Upper Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pee Dee R Nr Rockingham | 1,900 cfs | → |
| Drowning Creek Near Hoffman | 14 cfs | → |
| Big Shoe Heel Creek Nr Laurinburg | 15 cfs | → |
| Lumber River Near Maxton | 91 cfs | → |
| Pee Dee River Nr Bennettsville | 2,050 cfs | → |
| Rockfish Creek At Raeford | 30 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hamlet City Lake Upper Dam.
Boat launches
- West Us 74 Highway 1333, Rockingham
- State Road 1759, Lilesville
- Niagara Carthage Road 3326, Whispering Pines
- Shadow Drive 93, Whispering Pines
- Dewberry Drive Whispering Pines
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Baldwins Pond
- Broadacres Lake
- Broadacres Lakes
- Big Branch
- Blewett Falls Lake Grassy Island
- Aberdeen Town Lake
Track Hamlet City Lake Upper 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 Hamlet City Lake Upper Dam
Where does the data for Hamlet City Lake Upper 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 Hamlet City Lake Upper Dam.