Cooper Lake Dam dam
Cooper Lake Dam
Cooper Lake Dam, located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, stands as a vital water resource and recreation site in the area. Managed by a private entity, this earthen dam is designed for recreational purposes, offering a serene escape for visitors seeking outdoor activities along the Salem Creek. With a hydraulic height of 21.8 feet and a structural height of 25 feet, the dam boasts a storage capacity of 16 acre-feet, making it a crucial component in water management and conservation efforts in the region.
Although not federally regulated, Cooper Lake Dam is regularly inspected to ensure its structural integrity and safety for the surrounding community. The dam, with a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment as of November 2013, continues to play a key role in flood control and water storage. While it may not have a significant impact on the overall water supply, its presence highlights the importance of sustainable water management practices and the need for continual monitoring and maintenance of vital infrastructure like dams.
As a popular spot for recreation, Cooper Lake Dam serves as a picturesque destination for locals and tourists alike, offering opportunities for boating, fishing, and other outdoor activities. Its location within the Wilmington District and close proximity to the city of Winston-Salem further enhances its appeal as a tranquil escape for nature enthusiasts and climate advocates. With its rich history and role in water resource management, Cooper Lake Dam stands as a symbol of harmony between human activity and environmental conservation in the region.
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 Cooper Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yadkin River At Enon | 670 cfs | → |
| Yadkin River At Yadkin College | 876 cfs | → |
| Abbotts Creek At Lexington | 31 cfs | → |
| Little Yadkin River At Dalton | 7 cfs | → |
| East Fork Deep River Near High Point | 2 cfs | → |
| South Yadkin River Near Mocksville | 74 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cooper Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Thom-A-Lex Park
- Nc Highway 801 South 5877, Mocksville
- Trading Ford Way Davidson County
- Belews Lake Drive 8191, Belews Creek
- Campground Trail Yadkin County
- Pine Hall Road 2547-2793, Walnut Cove
Campgrounds
- Tanglewood Park
- Oak Hollow City Campground
- Pilot Mountain State Park
- Ymca Camp Hanes
- Hanging Rock State Park
- Sunset Park Campground
Fishing spots
Track Cooper 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 Cooper Lake Dam
Where does the data for Cooper 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 Cooper Lake Dam.