Yow-Williams Lake Dam Dam
Yow-Williams Lake Dam
Yow-Williams Lake Dam in North Carolina, managed by a private owner with design input from USDA NRCS, serves primarily for recreational purposes along the King Creek. This earth dam, supported by stone core types and a soil foundation, stands at a structural height of 12 feet with a storage capacity of 176 acre-feet. Despite being uncontrolled, the spillway and outlet gates maintain a low hazard potential and satisfactory condition as of the last inspection in 2008.
Situated within the Wilmington District, this dam has a moderate risk assessment rating and is not regulated by the state. With no associated structures and an absence of federal agency involvement in funding, designing, or regulating, Yow-Williams Lake Dam remains an essential part of the Onslow community's water resource management. Climate and water enthusiasts can appreciate the dam's contribution to the region's water storage and recreational opportunities, while also recognizing the need for periodic inspections and maintenance to ensure its continued safety and functionality for future generations.
Walter B. Jones, the representative for the district, oversees the area where Yow-Williams Lake Dam stands, highlighting the intersection of local governance and environmental stewardship. As the dam continues to play a crucial role in water conservation and outdoor recreation, ongoing efforts to monitor and address any potential risks associated with its operation will be essential to preserving its value and integrity in the years to come.
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 Yow-Williams Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| New River Near Gum Branch | 15 cfs | → |
| Northeast Cape Fear River Near Chinquapin | 9 cfs | → |
| Trent River Near Trenton | 2 cfs | → |
| Cape Fear R At Lock #1 Nr Kelly | 1,140 cfs | → |
| Black River Near Tomahawk | 40 cfs | → |
| Neuse River At Kinston | 2,060 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Yow-Williams Lake Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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River runs
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About Yow-Williams Lake Dam
Where does the data for Yow-Williams 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 below 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.
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.