Umstead Park Lake Dam #2 dam
Umstead Park Lake Dam #2
Umstead Park Lake Dam #2, also known as Sycamore Dam, is a state-owned structure located in Wake, North Carolina. Built in 1955, this earth dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, providing a serene backdrop for visitors to enjoy the surrounding beauty of Sycamore Creek. With a hydraulic height of 33 feet and a structural height of 45 feet, the dam stands at 345 feet in length and has a normal storage capacity of 120 acre-feet.
Despite its low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Umstead Park Lake Dam #2 is regulated by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program. Regular inspections are conducted to ensure the dam's safety and functionality, with the last assessment taking place in February 2018. The dam's emergency action plan status, risk assessment, and inundation maps preparedness are currently unreported, suggesting a potential area for improvement in emergency response planning.
Located just 5 miles from Raleigh, Umstead Park Lake Dam #2 is a vital water resource in Wake County, offering recreational opportunities while also maintaining flood control measures along Sycamore Creek. With its historical significance and continued state oversight, this dam serves as a key component of the region's water management infrastructure, highlighting the importance of proper maintenance and emergency preparedness in safeguarding our precious water resources in the face of climate challenges.
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 Umstead Park Lake Dam #2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Crabtree Cr At Ebenezer Church Rd Nr Raleigh | 165 cfs | → |
| Crabtree Creek At Hwy 70 At Raleigh | 208 cfs | → |
| Rocky Branch Below Pullen Drive At Raleigh | 5 cfs | → |
| Crabtree Creek At Us 1 At Raleigh | 392 cfs | → |
| Northeast Creek At Sr1100 Nr Genlee | 7 cfs | → |
| Marsh C Nr New Hope | 34 cfs | → |
About Umstead Park Lake Dam #2
Where does the data for Umstead Park Lake Dam #2 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 below 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.
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.