Riggsbee Dam dam
Riggsbee Dam
Riggsbee Dam, located in Apex, North Carolina, is a privately owned structure that serves primarily for recreational purposes. Completed in 1996, this earth dam on Turkey Creek-Tr stands at a height of 16 feet with a hydraulic height of 14 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 24 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 15 acre-feet and a surface area of 3 acres. Despite its small size, Riggsbee Dam has a high hazard potential and is subject to regular state inspections and enforcement to ensure its safety and satisfactory condition.
Managed by the North Carolina Dam Safety Program, Riggsbee Dam falls under state jurisdiction and is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the NCDEQ. The dam has a maximum discharge capacity of 108 cfs and is situated in the Wilmington District. While it does not have associated locks or spillways, the dam's risk potential is closely monitored, with emergency preparedness plans in place. With its picturesque location and important role in water resource management and recreation, Riggsbee Dam serves as a vital component of the local ecosystem and community in Wake County.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Riggsbee Dam presents an intriguing case study in the intersection of private ownership, state regulation, and environmental stewardship. Its modest size belies the critical role it plays in managing water flow, providing recreational opportunities, and safeguarding against potential hazards. As efforts to mitigate climate change and enhance water security continue to be at the forefront of environmental discourse, understanding the complexities and challenges facing dams like Riggsbee Dam is essential for developing sustainable water management practices and policies for the future.
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 Riggsbee Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White Oak Cr At Mouth Near Green Level | · | → |
| Northeast Creek At Sr1100 Nr Genlee | 8 cfs | → |
| Swift Creek Near Apex | 1 cfs | → |
| Crabtree Cr At Ebenezer Church Rd Nr Raleigh | 14 cfs | → |
| New Hope Creek Near Blands | 11 cfs | → |
| Crabtree Creek At Hwy 70 At Raleigh | 13 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Riggsbee Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Trail Wake County
- Ferrington Boat Ramp, Chapel Hill
- Walnut Creek Trail Raleigh
- Lake Wheeler Boat Ramp
- Bartley Holleman Road 3519-3621, New Hill
- Hanks Chapel Road 2765, Town Of Pittsboro
Campgrounds
- William B. Umstead State Park
- Crosswinds State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- Poplar Point State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- Parkers Creek State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- Rolling View - Falls Lake
- Durant Nature Park
Track Riggsbee 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 Riggsbee Dam
Where does the data for Riggsbee 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 Riggsbee Dam.