Blanchard Dam dam
Blanchard Dam
Blanchard Dam, located in Alamance, North Carolina, is a private structure primarily used for recreation purposes. Built in 1940, this earth dam stands at a structural height of 23 feet with a hydraulic height of 20 feet. It has a length of 420 feet and a storage capacity of 86 acre-feet, making it an essential feature in the Scrubb Creek-Tr river system.
Despite being a low hazard potential structure, Blanchard Dam has not been rated for its condition as it was last inspected in October 2014. The dam holds a normal storage capacity of 72 acre-feet and has a maximum discharge capacity of 314 cubic feet per second. Although not regulated by the state, the dam is under periodic inspection to ensure its safety and integrity.
Enthusiasts interested in water resources and climate will find Blanchard Dam a fascinating subject, especially given its historical significance and recreational importance in the area. Its location, design features, and storage capacity contribute to the overall understanding of water management in the region. As efforts continue to monitor and maintain this dam, it serves as a valuable asset for both local residents and visitors seeking recreational opportunities along the Scrubb Creek-Tr river.
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 Blanchard Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Creek At Sr2819 Nr Mcleansville | 51 cfs | → |
| Reedy Fork Near Gibsonville | 3 cfs | → |
| Haw River At Haw River | 90 cfs | → |
| North Buffalo Creek Near Greensboro | 5 cfs | → |
| South Buffalo Cr Near Greensboro | 3 cfs | → |
| North Buffalo Creek At Church St At Greensboro | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Blanchard Dam.
Boat launches
- Homeview Road Burlington
- Haw River Trail Alamance County
- Island Trail Alamance County
- Haw River Trail Haw River
- Graham Paddle Access Graham
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Blanchard 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 Blanchard Dam
Where does the data for Blanchard 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 Blanchard Dam.