Cecil Dam #1 dam
Cecil Dam #1
Cecil Dam #1, located in Guilford County, North Carolina, is a privately owned earth dam designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1968. The dam serves a primary purpose of recreation, providing a surface area of 9 acres and a maximum storage capacity of 84 acre-feet. It is situated on Richland Creek-Tr, with a drainage area of 200 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 450 cubic feet per second.
Despite being classified as low hazard potential with a moderate risk assessment rating, Cecil Dam #1 has not been rated for its condition and has not undergone a recent inspection as of November 2020. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, with a hydraulic height of 18.8 feet and a structural height of 23.3 feet. While there are no associated structures or locks, the dam offers opportunities for recreational activities in the area.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts may be intrigued by Cecil Dam #1 for its historical significance as a recreational site and its impact on the local ecosystem. The dam's presence in the Wilmington District adds to the diversity of water management structures in the region, contributing to the overall water resource management efforts in North Carolina. As a privately owned facility, the dam's maintenance and safety protocols are crucial to ensure its continued functionality and safety for both recreational users and the surrounding environment.
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 Cecil Dam #1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Fork Deep River Near High Point | 2 cfs | → |
| South Buffalo Creek Nr Pomona | 1 cfs | → |
| Ryan Creek Below Us 220 At Greensboro | 0 cfs | → |
| South Buffalo Creek At Us 220 At Greensboro | 2 cfs | → |
| N Buffalo Cr At Westover Terrace At Greensboro | 1 cfs | → |
| North Buffalo Creek At Church St At Greensboro | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cecil Dam #1.
Boat launches
- Lake Thom-A-Lex Park
- Homeview Road Burlington
- Belews Lake Drive 8191, Belews Creek
- Pine Hall Road 2547-2793, Walnut Cove
- Wildlife Rec Area Access Road 899, Davidson County
- Trading Ford Way Davidson County
Campgrounds
- Oak Hollow City Campground
- Hagan-Stone Park
- Tanglewood Park
- Lake Reidsville Rec Park
- Camp 7
- Shallow Ford Campsites
Fishing spots
Track Cecil Dam #1 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 Cecil Dam #1
Where does the data for Cecil Dam #1 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 Cecil Dam #1.