Whorrells Millpond Dam dam
Whorrells Millpond Dam
Whorrells Millpond Dam, located in Murfreesboro, North Carolina, is a private earth dam with a primary purpose of recreation. Built in 1938, this dam stands at a structural height of 11 feet and has a hydraulic height of 8 feet, creating a reservoir with a maximum storage capacity of 84 acre-feet. With a surface area of 65 acres, the dam on Hares Branch offers a serene setting for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife watching.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Whorrells Millpond Dam has not been rated for its condition since a 2008 inspection. While the dam is not state-regulated or permitted, it does undergo regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality. The surrounding area is not at risk of inundation according to available data, and there is no Emergency Action Plan in place. Nevertheless, the dam remains a popular spot for local residents and visitors to enjoy nature and engage in recreational pursuits.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Whorrells Millpond Dam presents an interesting case study of a privately owned dam that serves primarily for recreational purposes. As efforts continue to assess and manage the safety of dams across the country, this historical structure provides a glimpse into the intersection of water management, infrastructure development, and outdoor recreation. With its picturesque setting and potential for future risk assessment and management measures, Whorrells Millpond Dam offers a fascinating subject for further exploration and discussion in the realm of water resource and climate studies.
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 Whorrells Millpond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Potecasi Creek Near Union | 11 cfs | → |
| Ahoskie Creek At Ahoskie | 5 cfs | → |
| Nottoway River Near Sebrell | 143 cfs | → |
| Blackwater River Near Franklin | 19 cfs | → |
| Cashie River At Sr1257 Near Windsor | 1 cfs | → |
| Roanoke River At Roanoke Rapids | 2,420 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Whorrells Millpond Dam.
Track Whorrells Millpond 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 Whorrells Millpond Dam
Where does the data for Whorrells Millpond 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 Whorrells Millpond Dam.