Cook Lake Dam dam
Cook Lake Dam
Located in Davie, North Carolina, Cook Lake Dam is a privately-owned structure that serves primarily for recreational purposes. With a hydraulic height of 20.5 feet and a structural height of 23.5 feet, the dam creates a reservoir with a storage capacity of 51 acre-feet. The dam is situated on Ellsworth Creek, offering a serene setting for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing.
Despite its low hazard potential, Cook Lake Dam is inspected regularly to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The last inspection conducted in November 2020 deemed the dam to be in "Not Rated" condition. While the dam does not fall under state regulation, it is reassuring to know that there are measures in place to monitor its performance and address any potential risks. Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the importance of maintaining such infrastructure for both recreational enjoyment and environmental conservation.
As a part of the Wilmington District in North Carolina, Cook Lake Dam stands as a testament to the balance between human recreation and natural preservation. Its peaceful waters and surrounding landscape provide a sanctuary for wildlife and a retreat for outdoor enthusiasts. With a focus on safety and regular inspections, this earth-type dam continues to serve as a vital resource for the community while respecting the delicate ecosystem it supports.
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 Cook Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yadkin River At Yadkin College | 876 cfs | → |
| South Yadkin River Near Mocksville | 74 cfs | → |
| Abbotts Creek At Lexington | 31 cfs | → |
| Yadkin River At Enon | 670 cfs | → |
| Second Creek Near Barber | 17 cfs | → |
| Hunting Creek Near Harmony | 50 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cook Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Nc Highway 801 South 5877, Mocksville
- Trading Ford Way Davidson County
- Lake Thom-A-Lex Park
- Wildlife Rec Area Access Road 899, Davidson County
- Campground Trail Yadkin County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Cook 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 Cook Lake Dam
Where does the data for Cook 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 Cook Lake Dam.