Wake Forest Water Supply Dam dam
Wake Forest Water Supply Dam
The Wake Forest Water Supply Dam, also known as the Smith Creek Reservoir, is a local government-owned structure in Wake County, North Carolina. Completed in 1960, this earth dam serves the primary purpose of recreation and water supply, with a maximum storage capacity of 945 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 538 acre-feet. Situated on Smith Creek, the dam has a hydraulic height of 29.9 feet and a structural height of 36.4 feet, ensuring a reliable water source for the surrounding area.
With a high hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment as of December 2019, the Wake Forest Water Supply Dam is regulated by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program. It undergoes regular inspections every two years to ensure its safety and functionality. The reservoir covers a surface area of 50 acres and has a drainage area of 2,144 square miles, providing a vital resource for the local community.
Despite its age, the Wake Forest Water Supply Dam continues to play a crucial role in water supply and recreation. With its strategic location in Milburnie, North Carolina, and its ample storage capacity, the dam remains a key asset for managing water resources and mitigating the impacts of climate change in the region.
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 Wake Forest Water Supply Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Neuse River Near Falls | 123 cfs | → |
| Marsh C Nr New Hope | 1 cfs | → |
| Crabtree Creek At Us 1 At Raleigh | 17 cfs | → |
| Tar R At Us 401 At Louisburg | 18 cfs | → |
| Crabtree Creek At Hwy 70 At Raleigh | 13 cfs | → |
| Walnut Creek At Sunnybrook Drive Nr Raleigh | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wake Forest Water Supply Dam.
Boat launches
- Neuse River Trail Raleigh
- Barton's Creek Boat Ramp
- Falls Lake Trail Wake County
- Duck Cove Trail Wake County
- Creedmoor Road 13900, Town Of Wake Forest
- Milburnie Dam Bridge Raleigh
Campgrounds
- Durant Nature Park
- Shoreline Campground
- Overlook Campground
- Bootleg Point Campground
- Osprey Nest Campground
- Shortleaf Pine Campground
Track Wake Forest Water Supply 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 Wake Forest Water Supply Dam
Where does the data for Wake Forest Water Supply 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 Wake Forest Water Supply Dam.