Aaran Lakes West Dam dam
Aaran Lakes West Dam
Aaran Lakes West Dam, located in Hopemills, North Carolina, is a local government-owned structure with a primary purpose of recreation. This earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 11 feet and a structural height of 15 feet, with a length of 300 feet. It has a storage capacity of 54 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 9 acres. The dam is situated on the Beaver Creek-Os river/stream and falls under the jurisdiction of various state regulatory agencies including NCDEQ Dam Safety Program.
Despite its recreational focus, Aaran Lakes West Dam poses a high hazard potential and has been assessed to be in poor condition as of the last inspection in January 2021. The dam has an inspection frequency of 2 years and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement. With a history of no associated structures and no outlet gates, this dam serves as a key feature for water resource and climate enthusiasts in Cumberland County, offering opportunities for outdoor activities and leisure along the waterfront.
As stakeholders continue to monitor the safety and maintenance of Aaran Lakes West Dam, efforts may be needed to address its poor condition and high hazard potential. With its location in a recreational area and proximity to the Beaver Creek-Os waterway, the dam plays a vital role in providing recreational opportunities while also requiring diligent oversight and regulatory compliance to ensure the safety of surrounding communities and natural resources.
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 Aaran Lakes West Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little River At Manchester | 31 cfs | → |
| Rockfish Creek At Raeford | 31 cfs | → |
| Cape Fear R At Wilm O Huske Lock Nr Tarheel | 636 cfs | → |
| Flat Creek Near Inverness | 2 cfs | → |
| Big Swamp Nr Tarheel | 2 cfs | → |
| Lumber River Near Maxton | 96 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Aaran Lakes West Dam.
Boat launches
- Carolina Way 956, Harnett County
- Dewberry Drive Whispering Pines
- Shadow Drive 93, Whispering Pines
- Niagara Carthage Road 3326, Whispering Pines
Campgrounds
- Smith Lake Army Rv Military - Ft Bragg
- Chalk Banks - Lumber River State Park
- John Culberth Campsite
- Jones Lake State Park
Fishing spots
Track Aaran Lakes West 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 Aaran Lakes West Dam
Where does the data for Aaran Lakes West 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 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 Aaran Lakes West Dam.