Pope Lake Dam dam
Pope Lake Dam
Pope Lake Dam, located in Harnett County, North Carolina, is a privately owned structure built in 1885 for recreational purposes along the Black River. Standing at a hydraulic height of 8 feet and a structural height of 10 feet, the dam spans 1254 feet in length and has a maximum storage capacity of 169 acre-feet. With a normal storage level of 141 acre-feet and a surface area of 110 acres, the dam serves as a popular spot for outdoor activities in the Dunn area.
Although not regulated by the state, Pope Lake Dam is regularly inspected to ensure its safety and structural integrity. Classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam has not been rated for its condition as of the last inspection in 2008. Despite lacking an established Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and updated inundation maps, the dam continues to provide recreational opportunities for visitors while remaining a key feature of the Black River landscape. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate may find Pope Lake Dam an intriguing example of historical dam construction and its role in supporting local ecosystems.
As a relic of 19th-century engineering, Pope Lake Dam stands as a testament to the intersection of human ingenuity and natural landscapes. With its modest storage capacity and low hazard potential, the dam offers a glimpse into how early infrastructure developments continue to shape our interactions with water resources today. For those interested in the intersection of environmental preservation and recreational use, Pope Lake Dam serves as a compelling case study of balancing human needs with ecosystem protection in a changing climate.
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 Pope Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Creek Near Clayton | 7 cfs | → |
| Cape Fear River At Lillington | 542 cfs | → |
| Swift Creek Near Mccullars Crossroads | 13 cfs | → |
| Swift Creek Near Apex | 1 cfs | → |
| Buckhorn Creek Nr Corinth | 8 cfs | → |
| Neuse River Near Clayton | 242 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pope Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Wheeler Boat Ramp
- Bartley Holleman Road 3519-3621, New Hill
- Crosspoint Road 388, New Hill
- Buffalo Creek Greenway Smithfield
- Highway 42 1-199, Sanford
- Walnut Creek Trail Raleigh
Campgrounds
- Rvacation Campground
- San Lee County Park
- Poplar Point State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- Crosswinds State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- William B. Umstead State Park
- Smith Lake Army Rv Military - Ft Bragg
Fishing spots
Track Pope 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 Pope Lake Dam
Where does the data for Pope 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 Pope Lake Dam.