Tom Harrison Memorial Dam Dam
Tom Harrison Memorial Dam
Tom Harrison Memorial Dam, also known as Conway Rose Dam or Lake Wackena Dam, is a privately owned structure located in Seven Springs, North Carolina. Built in 1963 by the USDA NRCS, this Earth-type dam on Walnut Creek serves the primary purpose of recreation, offering a serene escape for water resource and climate enthusiasts. With a hydraulic height of 16 feet and a structural height of 25.3 feet, the dam spans 1400 feet and has a normal storage capacity of 1070 acre-feet, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities in a picturesque setting.
The dam, with a hazard potential rated as high and a fair condition assessment, is regulated by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and the Dam Safety Program. It has a maximum discharge capacity of 5800 cubic feet per second and a storage capacity of 2700 acre-feet. The surrounding area boasts a surface area of 172 acres and a drainage area of 8355 acres, showcasing the importance of this water resource for both recreational and ecological purposes. Despite the moderate risk assessment and the need for regular inspections, Tom Harrison Memorial Dam continues to offer a valuable water source for the local community.
This iconic dam, representing a blend of natural beauty and human engineering, stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management in a changing climate. With its uncontrolled spillway and stone core foundation, Tom Harrison Memorial Dam serves as a vital hub for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. As climate enthusiasts explore the surrounding area, they can appreciate the efforts of the Natural Resources Conservation Service in creating and maintaining this recreational oasis on Walnut Creek.
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 Tom Harrison Memorial Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bear Creek At Mays Store | 98 cfs | → |
| Neuse River Near Goldsboro | 1,550 cfs | → |
| Nahunta Swamp Near Shine | 10 cfs | → |
| Neuse River At Kinston | 2,260 cfs | → |
| Contentnea Creek At Hookerton | 147 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Princeton | 60 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Tom Harrison Memorial Dam.
Boat launches
See all →
Campgrounds
See all →
Fishing spots
See all →
River runs
See all →
About Tom Harrison Memorial Dam
Where does the data for Tom Harrison Memorial 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 High 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.