Matson Dam dam
Matson Dam
Matson Dam, located in Guilford, North Carolina, serves primarily as a recreational structure along the Big Alamance Creek. With a structural height of 25.5 feet and a hydraulic height of 22 feet, this earth dam provides a storage capacity of 31 acre-feet, making it a vital resource for water storage and management in the area. Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment as of 2013, the dam has not undergone recent inspections or updates, raising concerns about its long-term effectiveness and safety.
While Matson Dam does not fall under state jurisdiction or regulatory oversight, its importance in providing water storage and recreational opportunities cannot be understated. The dam's existence since an unknown completion date has allowed for the creation of a 3-acre surface area and a peaceful environment for visitors to enjoy. However, with no outlet gates or spillway type specified, questions remain about the dam's ability to manage potential flooding events or discharge excess water in a controlled manner.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and weather patterns, the need to ensure the safety and efficiency of dams like Matson Dam becomes increasingly critical. With a focus on enhancing emergency preparedness, conducting regular inspections, and implementing risk management measures, stakeholders can work together to safeguard this important infrastructure and preserve its benefits for future generations of water resource and climate enthusiasts.
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 Matson Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Buffalo Cr Near Greensboro | 3 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek At Sr2819 Nr Mcleansville | 44 cfs | → |
| North Buffalo Creek Near Greensboro | 5 cfs | → |
| Ryan Creek Below Us 220 At Greensboro | 1 cfs | → |
| South Buffalo Creek At Us 220 At Greensboro | 2 cfs | → |
| Reedy Fork Near Gibsonville | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Matson Dam.
Boat launches
- Homeview Road Burlington
- Haw River Trail Alamance County
- Island Trail Alamance County
- Graham Paddle Access Graham
- Haw River Trail Haw River
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Matson 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 Matson Dam
Where does the data for Matson 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 Matson Dam.