Horseshoe Lake Dam dam
Horseshoe Lake Dam
Located in Elizabethtown, North Carolina, the Horseshoe Lake Dam stands as a crucial structure along Ellis Creek, serving primarily for recreational purposes since its completion in 1962. With a hydraulic height of 8 feet and a structural height of 10 feet, this earth dam boasts a dam length of 300 feet and a storage capacity of 2,304 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, the dam has not been regulated by the state and does not require permitting for operation.
The Horseshoe Lake Dam offers a serene recreational setting with a maximum discharge capacity of 36 cubic feet per second, catering to water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking a tranquil escape in Bladen County. With a drainage area of 3,072 acres and a normal storage capacity of 1,920 acre-feet, the dam provides a safe and enjoyable environment for visitors to explore the surrounding natural beauty. Although it has not undergone recent modifications or inspections since 2013, the dam's overall risk assessment remains relatively low and manageable.
Maintaining a vital role in the local ecosystem, the Horseshoe Lake Dam continues to serve as a valuable asset for the community, offering a peaceful retreat for outdoor recreation and environmental appreciation. As a significant feature within the Wilmington District, this earth dam exemplifies the harmonious balance between human enjoyment and ecological preservation, showcasing the importance of responsible water resource management in the face of changing climatic conditions.
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 Horseshoe Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Fear R At Wilm O Huske Lock Nr Tarheel | 889 cfs | → |
| Big Swamp Nr Tarheel | 14 cfs | → |
| Black River Near Tomahawk | 91 cfs | → |
| Lumber River At Lumberton | 225 cfs | → |
| Lumber River At Boardman | 235 cfs | → |
| Little River At Manchester | 55 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Horseshoe Lake Dam.
Track Horseshoe 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 Horseshoe Lake Dam
Where does the data for Horseshoe 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 Horseshoe Lake Dam.