Ayscue Lake Dam dam
Ayscue Lake Dam
Ayscue Lake Dam, located in Gold Rock, North Carolina, is a privately owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS for water supply purposes. Completed in 1970, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 20 feet and a structural height of 30 feet, with a length of 420 feet. With a normal storage capacity of 240 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 288 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in maintaining water resources in the area. It is regulated by the NCDEQ Dam Safety Program and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its fair condition and low hazard potential.
Situated on Dickies Creek, Ayscue Lake Dam is managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and falls under the jurisdiction of the state of North Carolina. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, with a maximum discharge capacity of 413 cubic feet per second. Despite its moderate risk assessment rating of 3, the dam's risk management measures are not explicitly outlined, raising questions about its emergency preparedness and response protocols. Overall, Ayscue Lake Dam stands as a vital infrastructure for water supply in Vance County, highlighting the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience in the region.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts delve into the details of Ayscue Lake Dam, they uncover a complex network of regulatory agencies, design considerations, and operational challenges that shape its role in sustaining the local ecosystem. The dam's association with the NCDEQ, DEMLR, and Dam Safety Program underscores the collaborative efforts required to ensure its safe and effective function. With a history dating back to 1970, this earth dam continues to serve as a critical piece of water infrastructure, raising awareness about the importance of proactive risk management and emergency preparedness in the face of changing climatic conditions.
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 Ayscue Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tar R At Us 401 At Louisburg | 17 cfs | → |
| Tar River Near Tar River | 3 cfs | → |
| Swift Creek At Hilliardston | 858 cfs | → |
| Little Fishing Creek Near White Oak | 6 cfs | → |
| Allen Creek Near Boydton | 0 cfs | → |
| Neuse River Near Falls | 123 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ayscue Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Jack Wade Farm Road Vance County
- Nutbush Road Vance County
- Flemingtown Road 3159, Henderson
- 167 County Line Park Rd, Manson, Nc 27553
- Kimball Point Road Warren County
Campgrounds
- Nutbush Bridge State Rec Area - Kerr Lake
- Satterwhite Pt State Rec Area - Kerr Lake
- Bullocksville State Rec Area - Kerr Lake
- Hibernia State Rec Area - Kerr Lake
- County Line State Rec Area - Kerr Lake
- Henderson Point State Rec Area - Kerr Lake
Track Ayscue 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 Ayscue Lake Dam
Where does the data for Ayscue 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 Ayscue Lake Dam.