Pritchett's Lake Dam dam
Pritchett's Lake Dam
Pritchett's Lake Dam, located in Altamahaw, North Carolina, is a privately owned structure that serves as a recreational spot for water enthusiasts in the area. Built in 1953, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 24 feet and a structural height of 30 feet, with a length of 200 feet. It has a normal storage capacity of 211 acre-feet and a maximum storage capacity of 253 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 12.5 acres.
Managed by the North Carolina Dam Safety Program, Pritchett's Lake Dam is subject to regular inspections to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. The dam is categorized as having low hazard potential and was last assessed to be in satisfactory condition in December 2018. The surrounding area, including the Haw River-Tr river system, benefits from the recreational opportunities provided by the dam, making it an important resource for the community.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the significance of Pritchett's Lake Dam in Guilford County, as it not only offers recreational activities but also plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region. With a history dating back to the 1950s, this dam continues to serve its purpose effectively while ensuring the safety of the surrounding environment and residents. Its existence highlights the importance of proper dam management and maintenance in safeguarding water sources for both present and future generations.
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 Pritchett's Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Reedy Fork Near Gibsonville | 2 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek At Sr2819 Nr Mcleansville | 40 cfs | → |
| North Buffalo Creek Near Greensboro | 5 cfs | → |
| North Buffalo Creek At Church St At Greensboro | 3 cfs | → |
| South Buffalo Cr Near Greensboro | 3 cfs | → |
| Horsepen Creek At Us 220 Nr Greensboro | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pritchett's Lake Dam.
Track Pritchett's 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 Pritchett's Lake Dam
Where does the data for Pritchett's 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 Pritchett's Lake Dam.