Richmond Millpond Dam dam
Richmond Millpond Dam
Richmond Millpond Dam, also known as Laurel Mill Dam, is a privately owned structure located in Laurel Hill, North Carolina. Built in 1860, this Earth-type dam stands at a hydraulic height of 11 feet and a structural height of 15 feet, serving primarily for recreational purposes. The dam boasts a storage capacity of 1161 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 180 acres, drawing water from the Gum Swamp Creek and serving as a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts.
Despite its historical significance and recreational value, Richmond Millpond Dam poses a high hazard potential and is currently rated in fair condition. Regular inspections are conducted by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program, with the last assessment taking place in December 2020. While the dam has not undergone significant modifications in recent years, its emergency action plan was last revised in 2005, raising concerns about the adequacy of preparedness measures in case of a breach or failure.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts continue to monitor the state of Richmond Millpond Dam, attention is focused on ensuring the safety and integrity of this vital structure. With a drainage area of 348,160 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 5000 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in water management and flood control in the region. Efforts to address potential risks, enhance emergency response protocols, and maintain the dam's structural integrity are essential to safeguarding the surrounding community and preserving this historic landmark for future generations.
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 Richmond Millpond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Shoe Heel Creek Nr Laurinburg | 15 cfs | → |
| Lumber River Near Maxton | 91 cfs | → |
| Drowning Creek Near Hoffman | 14 cfs | → |
| Pee Dee River Nr Bennettsville | 2,050 cfs | → |
| Pee Dee R Nr Rockingham | 1,900 cfs | → |
| Rockfish Creek At Raeford | 30 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Richmond Millpond Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Chalk Banks - Lumber River State Park
- Cheraw State Park
- John Culberth Campsite
- Bass Lake Campground
- H. Cooper Black
Fishing spots
- Broadacres Lake
- Broadacres Lakes
- Baldwins Pond
- Big Branch
- Aberdeen Town Lake
- Blewett Falls Lake Grassy Island
Track Richmond 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 Richmond Millpond Dam
Where does the data for Richmond 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 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 Richmond Millpond Dam.