Morris Lake Dam dam
Morris Lake Dam
Morris Lake Dam, located in Hamilton, North Carolina, is a private dam completed in 1966 primarily for recreation purposes. Situated on the Roanoke River-Tr, this earth dam has a hydraulic height of 17 feet and a structural height of 20 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 115 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 95 acre-feet. The dam spans 200 feet in length and covers a surface area of 7 acres, providing a picturesque setting for water enthusiasts to enjoy various recreational activities.
Despite being privately owned, Morris Lake Dam is inspected by state authorities, with the last inspection conducted in June 1993, revealing a low hazard potential and a condition assessment of "Not Rated". While the dam does not fall under state jurisdiction or regulatory oversight, it operates with a commitment to safety and emergency preparedness. Although details on emergency action plans and risk assessments are not provided, the dam's maintenance and management are essential for ensuring the safety of surrounding communities and preserving the recreational value of the reservoir.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Morris Lake Dam serves as a fascinating case study of a privately owned structure that balances recreation and water supply needs. With its scenic location and modest storage capacity, this dam highlights the importance of proper monitoring and maintenance to mitigate risks and ensure the continued enjoyment of water-based activities in the area. As climate change impacts water resources, understanding the resilience of dams like Morris Lake Dam becomes increasingly crucial in safeguarding communities and ecosystems from potential hazards.
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 Morris Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Roanoke River At Roanoke Rapids | 2,260 cfs | → |
| Fishing Creek Near Enfield | 27 cfs | → |
| Potecasi Creek Near Union | 3 cfs | → |
| Ahoskie Creek At Ahoskie | 5 cfs | → |
| Little Fishing Creek Near White Oak | 7 cfs | → |
| Meherrin River At Emporia | 95 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Morris Lake Dam.
Track Morris 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 Morris Lake Dam
Where does the data for Morris 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 Morris Lake Dam.