Thompson Lake Dam dam
Thompson Lake Dam
Thompson Lake Dam, also known as Falconbridge Dam, is a privately owned structure located in Durham, North Carolina. Completed in 1956, this earth dam stands at a height of 28 feet and has a hydraulic height of 25 feet. The dam's primary purpose is for recreation, with a storage capacity of 60 acre-feet and a surface area of 5.8 acres.
Situated on the Little Creek-Tr river, Thompson Lake Dam is regulated by the NC Dam Safety Program and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. The dam has a high hazard potential and is classified as being in fair condition as of the latest assessment in February 2021. Despite its age, Thompson Lake Dam continues to provide essential recreation opportunities for the surrounding community in Farrington, offering a picturesque setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and enjoy.
With its proximity to the Wilmington District and oversight by state regulatory agencies such as NCDEQ and DEMLR, Thompson Lake Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region. As efforts to mitigate climate change and protect water sources intensify, the preservation and maintenance of dams like Thompson Lake are essential for ensuring sustainable water management practices and safeguarding against potential risks associated with high hazard structures.
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 Thompson Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| New Hope Creek Near Blands | 11 cfs | → |
| Morgan Creek Near Chapel Hill | 6 cfs | → |
| Northeast Creek At Sr1100 Nr Genlee | 8 cfs | → |
| Morgan Creek Near White Cross | 0 cfs | → |
| White Oak Cr At Mouth Near Green Level | · | → |
| Eno River Near Durham | 13 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Thompson Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Ferrington Boat Ramp, Chapel Hill
- Lake Trail Wake County
- Dimmocks Mill Road 920, Town Of Hillsborough
- Hanks Chapel Road 2765, Town Of Pittsboro
- Rodolphe Street 6122, Durham
- Hickory Hill Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Parkers Creek State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- Crosswinds State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- Poplar Point State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- William B. Umstead State Park
- Redwood Campsite
- Rolling View - Falls Lake
Track Thompson 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 Thompson Lake Dam
Where does the data for Thompson 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 Thompson Lake Dam.