Williams Lake Dam #3 dam
Williams Lake Dam #3
Williams Lake Dam #3, located in Alma, North Carolina, serves primarily for irrigation purposes along the Drowning Creek-Os river. This private dam, completed in 1967, stands at a structural height of 55 feet with a hydraulic height of 52 feet, offering a maximum storage capacity of 599 acre-feet. With a surface area of 25 acres and a length of 720 feet, the dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in Moore County.
Despite being classified with a low hazard potential, Williams Lake Dam #3 is regularly inspected by the North Carolina Dam Safety Program, ensuring its fair condition and compliance with state regulations. The last inspection in December 2019 revealed no immediate concerns, with an inspection frequency of 5 years. The dam's emergency action plan status and risk assessment measures are currently unspecified, indicating the need for ongoing monitoring and preparedness in case of any unforeseen events.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Williams Lake Dam #3 offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and community livelihood. As a vital component of the local irrigation system, this earth-type dam not only supports agricultural activities but also provides opportunities for recreational use. With its strategic location and operational history, the dam stands as a testament to responsible water management practices in North Carolina's diverse 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 Williams Lake Dam #3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little River Near Star | 5 cfs | → |
| Drowning Creek Near Hoffman | 14 cfs | → |
| Pee Dee R Nr Rockingham | 1,900 cfs | → |
| Flat Creek Near Inverness | 2 cfs | → |
| Rocky River Near Norwood | 112 cfs | → |
| Tick Creek Near Mount Vernon Springs | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Williams Lake Dam #3.
Boat launches
- Niagara Carthage Road 3326, Whispering Pines
- Shadow Drive 93, Whispering Pines
- Dewberry Drive Whispering Pines
- Lilly’S Bridge Access Area
- Morrow Mountain Boat Launch
- Falls Road Stanly County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Big Branch
- Aberdeen Town Lake
- Blewett Falls Lake Grassy Island
- Broadacres Lake
- Broadacres Lakes
- Arrowhead Lake
Track Williams Lake Dam #3 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 Williams Lake Dam #3
Where does the data for Williams Lake Dam #3 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 Williams Lake Dam #3.