Bass Lake Dam dam
Bass Lake Dam
Bass Lake Dam, also known as Bear Creek W/S Dam #3, is a private dam located in Lagrange, North Carolina, along the West Bear Creek river. Constructed in 1966 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a structural height of 18.5 feet and serves primarily for flood risk reduction. With a storage capacity of 467 acre-feet, the dam covers a surface area of 63 acres and drains a watershed area of 2637 acres.
The dam's hazard potential is classified as high, with a fair condition assessment as of December 2019. It has an uncontrolled spillway type and outlet gates. Despite its moderate risk level, the dam has not experienced any major modifications in recent years. The state of North Carolina regulates and inspects the dam periodically to ensure its safety and functionality. Overall, Bass Lake Dam remains a crucial infrastructure for flood risk management in the Wayne County region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Bass Lake Dam offers a fascinating example of earth dam construction and flood risk reduction in action. Its location in the picturesque setting of Lagrange, North Carolina, along the West Bear Creek river, adds to its appeal for recreational activities. As a privately owned structure with state regulatory oversight, Bass Lake Dam represents a harmonious balance between human-made infrastructure and environmental stewardship in managing water resources for the community's benefit.
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 Bass Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nahunta Swamp Near Shine | 4 cfs | → |
| Neuse River Near Goldsboro | 269 cfs | → |
| Bear Creek At Mays Store | 98 cfs | → |
| Contentnea Creek At Hookerton | 46 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Princeton | 5 cfs | → |
| Neuse River At Kinston | 336 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bass Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- 777-1799 Ferry Bridge Rd, Grantham, Nc
- Old Pink Hill Road 963, Lenoir County
- South Street 204, Grifton
- Buffalo Creek Greenway Smithfield
- Highway 222 3029, Fountain
Campgrounds
- Seymour Johnson Afb Military
- Cliffs Of The Neuse State Park
- Neuseway Nature Park
- Rvacation Campground
- Contentnea Creekside City Park
- Cabin Lake County Park
Fishing spots
- Beaverdam Run
- Buckhorn Reservoir
- Gazebo On The Pond
- Lake Raleigh Public Fishing Area
- Blounts Creek
- Sloan’S Bridge Boating Access Area
Track Bass 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 Bass Lake Dam
Where does the data for Bass 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 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 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 Bass Lake Dam.