Williams Lake Dam #4 dam
Williams Lake Dam #4
Williams Lake Dam #4, located in Alma, North Carolina, is a privately owned earth dam constructed in 1968 for irrigation purposes along the Drowning Creek-Os river stream. With a hydraulic height of 33 feet and a structural height of 35 feet, this dam has a normal storage capacity of 185 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 222 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition has not been rated as of the last inspection in December 2019.
Managed by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program, Williams Lake Dam #4 is subject to state regulations, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. While the dam primarily serves agricultural irrigation needs, it also offers recreational opportunities. The surrounding area covers 16 acres, providing a serene waterfront for visitors looking to enjoy the natural beauty of the region.
Although the dam has not undergone modifications in recent years and lacks specific hazard and risk assessments, its emergency action plan status and risk management measures remain undisclosed. With its historical significance and vital role in water resource management, Williams Lake Dam #4 stands as a testament to the importance of maintaining and regulating critical infrastructure for sustainable environmental practices in North Carolina.
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 #4 -- 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 | → |
| Tick Creek Near Mount Vernon Springs | 1 cfs | → |
| Deep River At Ramseur | 13 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Williams Lake Dam #4.
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
- Baldwins Pond
Track Williams Lake Dam #4 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 #4
Where does the data for Williams Lake Dam #4 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 #4.