Babcock Lake Dam dam
Babcock Lake Dam
Babcock Lake Dam in North Carolina is a private earth dam with a primary purpose of recreation. Located in Wake County, near Smithfield, this dam on Crabtree Creek-Tr offers a tranquil setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore. With a hydraulic height of 9 feet and a structural height of 12 feet, this low hazard potential dam has a storage capacity of 60 acre-feet.
Despite being uninspected since 1993, Babcock Lake Dam remains in a condition that is not rated, highlighting the need for further assessment and potential maintenance to ensure its integrity. The dam's low hazard potential suggests minimal risk, but it is essential for authorities to stay vigilant in monitoring its condition to prevent any unforeseen incidents. With its proximity to urban areas and recreational significance, the safety and maintenance of Babcock Lake Dam are crucial for the community and the environment.
Enthusiasts and residents interested in Babcock Lake Dam should advocate for regular inspections and assessments to guarantee its safety and longevity. As a vital recreational resource in Wake County, this dam plays a significant role in water management and conservation efforts in the region. By staying informed and actively participating in the maintenance and monitoring of Babcock Lake Dam, water resource and climate enthusiasts can contribute to the preservation of this valuable infrastructure for future generations to enjoy.
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 Babcock Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Walnut Creek At Sunnybrook Drive Nr Raleigh | 2 cfs | → |
| Marsh C Nr New Hope | 0 cfs | → |
| Crabtree Creek At Us 1 At Raleigh | 15 cfs | → |
| Rocky Branch Below Pullen Drive At Raleigh | 0 cfs | → |
| Crabtree Creek At Hwy 70 At Raleigh | 8 cfs | → |
| Swift Creek Near Mccullars Crossroads | 19 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Babcock Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Milburnie Dam Bridge Raleigh
- Neuse River Trail Wake County
- Neuse River Trail Raleigh
- Walnut Creek Trail Raleigh
- Lake Wheeler Boat Ramp
- Lake Trail Wake County
Campgrounds
- Durant Nature Park
- William B. Umstead State Park
- Blue Heron Campground
- Osprey Nest Campground
- Bootleg Point Campground
- Shoreline Campground
Track Babcock 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 Babcock Lake Dam
Where does the data for Babcock 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 Babcock Lake Dam.