Williams Lake Dam Upper dam
Williams Lake Dam Upper
Located in Clear Run, North Carolina, the Williams Lake Dam Upper is a privately owned earth dam built in 1945 for recreational purposes. Standing at a hydraulic height of 28 feet and a structural height of 14 feet, this dam spans a length of 134 feet and has a storage capacity of 134 acre-feet. Situated on the Little Coharie Creek-Tr river system, the dam serves as a popular spot for outdoor activities and water recreation, with a surface area of 5 acres and a drainage area of 659 acres.
Despite its recreational appeal, the Williams Lake Dam Upper poses a high hazard potential with a poor condition assessment. With the last inspection conducted in January 2021, the dam's maintenance and safety measures are a concern for water resource and climate enthusiasts. The dam's emergency action plan status, risk assessment, and management measures remain unspecified, raising questions about its preparedness in the face of potential hazards and emergencies. Further monitoring and evaluation are necessary to ensure the dam's structural integrity and the safety of surrounding communities.
With its historical significance and environmental impact, the Williams Lake Dam Upper provides an intriguing case study for water resource and climate enthusiasts. The dam's age, condition, and hazard potential underscore the importance of regular inspections, maintenance, and emergency preparedness in safeguarding water resources and mitigating climate-related risks. As stakeholders continue to monitor and assess the dam's safety and operational status, there is a pressing need for proactive measures to address any vulnerabilities and ensure the long-term resilience of this recreational infrastructure.
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 Williams Lake Dam Upper -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black River Near Tomahawk | 49 cfs | → |
| Cape Fear R At Wilm O Huske Lock Nr Tarheel | 702 cfs | → |
| Big Swamp Nr Tarheel | 2 cfs | → |
| Little River At Manchester | 35 cfs | → |
| Cape Fear River At Lillington | 554 cfs | → |
| Neuse River Near Goldsboro | 259 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Williams Lake Dam Upper.
Fishing spots
Track Williams Lake Dam Upper 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 Williams Lake Dam Upper
Where does the data for Williams Lake Dam Upper 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 Williams Lake Dam Upper.