Wills Pond dam
Wills Pond
Wills Pond, also known as Bear Creek Watershed Dam #4, is a privately owned earth dam located in Lagrange, North Carolina. Built in 1964 by the USDA NRCS, it serves as a vital structure for flood risk reduction along the Old Mill Branch. With a maximum storage capacity of 768 acre-feet and a normal storage of 79 acre-feet, Wills Pond covers a surface area of 24.6 acres and has a drainage area of 1498 acres.
The dam stands at a structural height of 19 feet with a hydraulic height of 8 feet, ensuring its ability to withstand flood events and protect the surrounding area. Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, Wills Pond has not been rated for its condition as of the last inspection in 2008. While it primarily serves the purpose of flood risk reduction, it also provides recreational opportunities for the local community, showcasing the multifaceted benefits of water resource management in Wayne County.
Although not regulated by the state, Wills Pond undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality. With its uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, the dam remains a critical infrastructure for water management in the region. As climate change continues to impact water resources, structures like Wills Pond play a crucial role in mitigating the effects of extreme weather events and protecting both the environment and local communities.
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 Wills Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Neuse River Near Goldsboro | 2,860 cfs | → |
| Nahunta Swamp Near Shine | 33 cfs | → |
| Bear Creek At Mays Store | 98 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Princeton | 238 cfs | → |
| Contentnea Creek At Hookerton | 183 cfs | → |
| Neuse River At Kinston | 1,650 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wills Pond.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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More reservoirs
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About Wills Pond
Where does the data for Wills Pond 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.