Blackwood Lake Dam dam
Blackwood Lake Dam
Blackwood Lake Dam, located in Carrboro, North Carolina, was completed in 1960 and serves as a recreational spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts. This private earth dam on Morgan Creek has a structural height of 18 feet and a hydraulic height of 17 feet, with a storage capacity of 50 acre-feet. The dam, with a length of 360 feet, creates a seven-acre surface area providing opportunities for outdoor activities like fishing, boating, and wildlife observation.
Despite being privately owned, Blackwood Lake Dam is not regulated by the state and has a low hazard potential. The dam has not been rated for its condition as of the last inspection in 2000. With a maximum discharge of 132 cubic feet per second, the dam's primary purpose is recreation. The surrounding area offers a tranquil retreat for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, with the dam providing a picturesque backdrop for enjoying the beauty of the North Carolina landscape.
As a popular destination for outdoor recreation, Blackwood Lake Dam offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of Orange County. With its low hazard potential and focus on recreational activities, the dam provides a serene setting for visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Whether fishing, boating, or simply taking in the sights and sounds of the surrounding wildlife, Blackwood Lake Dam is a must-visit location for those seeking a tranquil escape in the midst of North Carolina's picturesque scenery.
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 Blackwood Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Morgan Creek Near White Cross | 0 cfs | → |
| Cane Creek Near Orange Grove | 0 cfs | → |
| Morgan Creek Near Chapel Hill | 6 cfs | → |
| Eno River At Hillsborough | 6 cfs | → |
| New Hope Creek Near Blands | 11 cfs | → |
| Haw River Near Bynum | 118 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Blackwood Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Dimmocks Mill Road 920, Town Of Hillsborough
- Ferrington Boat Ramp, Chapel Hill
- Lakeview Drive Alamance County
- Haw River Trail Alamance County
- Graham Paddle Access Graham
- Hanks Chapel Road 2765, Town Of Pittsboro
Campgrounds
- Parkers Creek State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- Crosswinds State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- Poplar Point State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- Redwood Campsite
- William B. Umstead State Park
- Rolling View - Falls Lake
Fishing spots
Track Blackwood 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 Blackwood Lake Dam
Where does the data for Blackwood 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 Blackwood Lake Dam.