Byrd Dam dam
Byrd Dam
Byrd Dam, located in Wake, North Carolina, is a privately owned structure with a primary purpose of recreation. Completed in 1981, this earth dam stands at a hydraulic height of 18 feet and a structural height of 20 feet, with a length of 400 feet. It has a storage capacity of 10 acre-feet and a surface area of 1 acre, making it a significant water resource in the area.
Although not state regulated, Byrd Dam is regularly inspected to ensure its safety, with the last assessment conducted in December 2019. Classified as having a high hazard potential, its condition is currently listed as "Not Rated," indicating the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance. Despite its risk level, the dam provides valuable recreational opportunities and contributes to the local ecosystem, serving as a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts in the region.
With its rich history and critical role in water management, Byrd Dam is a fascinating structure that showcases the intersection of human ingenuity and environmental stewardship. As climate change impacts become more pronounced, the resilience and maintenance of dams like Byrd will be crucial in ensuring sustainable water resource management for future generations. Whether for leisure activities or as a subject of study for water resource enthusiasts, Byrd Dam continues to be a significant landmark in the North Carolina landscape.
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 Byrd Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Swift Creek Near Mccullars Crossroads | 13 cfs | → |
| Swift Creek Near Apex | 0 cfs | → |
| Rocky Branch Below Pullen Drive At Raleigh | 0 cfs | → |
| Walnut Creek At Sunnybrook Drive Nr Raleigh | 4 cfs | → |
| Crabtree Creek At Us 1 At Raleigh | 17 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 Byrd Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Wheeler Boat Ramp
- Walnut Creek Trail Raleigh
- Lake Trail Wake County
- Neuse River Trail Wake County
- Milburnie Dam Bridge Raleigh
- Bartley Holleman Road 3519-3621, New Hill
Campgrounds
- William B. Umstead State Park
- Durant Nature Park
- Crosswinds State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- Poplar Point State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- Parkers Creek State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- Blue Heron Campground
Track Byrd 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 Byrd Dam
Where does the data for Byrd 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 Byrd Dam.