Perry Lake Dam dam
Perry Lake Dam
Perry Lake Dam, located in Smithfield, North Carolina, was completed in 1914 and stands at a structural height of 16 feet with a length of 345 feet. The dam is primarily used for recreational purposes and holds a storage capacity of 165 acre-feet, providing a serene surface area of 4 acres along Buffalo Creek. Despite being privately owned, the dam is subject to state inspections to ensure its safety and has been assessed as being in satisfactory condition with a low hazard potential.
With its masonry construction and historical significance, Perry Lake Dam offers a picturesque setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore. The dam's location within the Wilmington District of the US Army Corps of Engineers adds to its appeal, while the presence of Congressman George Holding as the representative for the area underscores its importance in local governance. While the dam has not undergone significant modifications in recent years, its regular inspections and adherence to safety guidelines ensure that it remains a reliable and well-maintained structure for both recreational enjoyment and environmental preservation.
For those interested in the intersection of water management and recreational activities, Perry Lake Dam presents a unique opportunity to appreciate the balance between human infrastructure and natural landscapes. Its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition offer reassurance to visitors and nearby residents, while its role in providing a recreational outlet underscores the importance of sustainable water resource management. As one of the many dams dotting the North Carolina landscape, Perry Lake Dam stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature in the face of changing climates and evolving environmental challenges.
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 Perry Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Marsh C Nr New Hope | 1 cfs | → |
| Neuse River Near Falls | 123 cfs | → |
| Crabtree Creek At Us 1 At Raleigh | 17 cfs | → |
| Walnut Creek At Sunnybrook Drive Nr Raleigh | 4 cfs | → |
| Crabtree Creek At Hwy 70 At Raleigh | 13 cfs | → |
| Rocky Branch Below Pullen Drive At Raleigh | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Perry Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Neuse River Trail Raleigh
- Milburnie Dam Bridge Raleigh
- Neuse River Trail Wake County
- Barton's Creek Boat Ramp
- Walnut Creek Trail Raleigh
- Falls Lake Trail Wake County
Campgrounds
- Durant Nature Park
- Shoreline Campground
- Blue Heron Campground
- Bootleg Point Campground
- Osprey Nest Campground
- Shortleaf Pine Campground
Track Perry 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 Perry Lake Dam
Where does the data for Perry 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 Perry Lake Dam.