Forrest Lake Dam dam
Forrest Lake Dam
Forrest Lake Dam, also known as Branson Lake, is a private dam located in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Built in 1952, this earth dam stands at a structural height of 15 feet with a hydraulic height of 8 feet. The dam's primary purpose is for recreation, providing a surface area of 33 acres and a drainage area of 3200 acres. With a storage capacity of 222 acre-feet, the dam serves as a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts in the area.
Despite its recreational appeal, Forrest Lake Dam poses a high hazard potential and has a fair condition assessment as of the last inspection in June 2019. The dam is state-regulated by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program, ensuring that it meets safety standards and undergoes regular inspections. With its close proximity to Branson Creek, the dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region, with a maximum discharge capacity of 132 cubic feet per second.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate in Cumberland County will find Forrest Lake Dam to be a significant structure, providing not only recreational opportunities but also serving as a vital component of the local watershed. As efforts continue to ensure its safety and functionality, the dam remains a key feature in the management of water resources in the area, showcasing the intersection of human infrastructure and natural ecosystems in the face of changing climate patterns.
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 Forrest Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little River At Manchester | 33 cfs | → |
| Cape Fear R At Wilm O Huske Lock Nr Tarheel | 669 cfs | → |
| Rockfish Creek At Raeford | 33 cfs | → |
| Flat Creek Near Inverness | 2 cfs | → |
| Big Swamp Nr Tarheel | 2 cfs | → |
| Cape Fear River At Lillington | 560 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Forrest Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Carolina Way 956, Harnett County
- Dewberry Drive Whispering Pines
- Shadow Drive 93, Whispering Pines
- Niagara Carthage Road 3326, Whispering Pines
Campgrounds
Track Forrest 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 Forrest Lake Dam
Where does the data for Forrest 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 Forrest Lake Dam.