Jerry L. Mills Dam dam
Jerry L. Mills Dam
Jerry L. Mills Dam, also known as Jerry L. Mills Lake, is a private-owned structure located in Pender County, North Carolina. Built in 1983 by the USDA NRCS, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 17 feet and spans a length of 2100 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 182 acre-feet. The primary purpose of the dam is for recreation, specifically for fish and wildlife pond management, as well as recreational activities.
Situated on Tr- Lewis Creek Pit Pot Branch, this low-hazard dam is primarily regulated and managed by the USDA NRCS. With a moderate risk rating, the dam does not have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place, but is inspected every 5 years to ensure its structural integrity. The spillway, which is uncontrolled, has a width of 30 feet, and the outlet gates are also uncontrolled. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam serves an important role in managing water resources and providing recreational opportunities for the local community in Wilmington.
Overall, Jerry L. Mills Dam represents an essential piece of infrastructure in the region, supporting fish and wildlife habitats, recreational activities, and water storage needs. While it may not pose a significant risk, regular inspections and maintenance ensure its continued functionality and safety for both the environment and the surrounding community. As climate and water resource enthusiasts, understanding the role and significance of structures like Jerry L. Mills Dam is crucial in managing and preserving our natural resources for future generations.
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 Jerry L. Mills Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast Cape Fear River Near Chinquapin | 43 cfs | → |
| Black River Near Tomahawk | 80 cfs | → |
| Cape Fear R At Lock #1 Nr Kelly | 1,410 cfs | → |
| New River Near Gum Branch | 32 cfs | → |
| Trent River Near Trenton | 12 cfs | → |
| Bear Creek At Mays Store | 98 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Jerry L. Mills Dam.
Boat launches
- Whitestocking Road 525, Burgaw
- Shaw Highway Pender County
- Shaw Highway 6138, Rocky Point
- Castle Hayne Road 6501, Castle Hayne
- Sutton Lake Road 399, New Hanover County
- Roland Avenue 517, Surf City
Track Jerry L. Mills 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 Jerry L. Mills Dam
Where does the data for Jerry L. Mills 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 Jerry L. Mills Dam.