Darden Dam dam
Darden Dam
Darden Dam is a private dam located in Wake County, North Carolina, along the Upper Barton Creek. Standing at a hydraulic height of 23 feet and a structural height of 26 feet, this earth dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, providing a storage capacity of 45 acre-feet. With a surface area of 4 acres, the dam boasts a high hazard potential but is currently in a satisfactory condition, last inspected in January 2019.
Managed by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Dam Safety Program, Darden Dam is subject to state regulations for permitting, inspection, and enforcement. The dam does not have any associated structures or locks, making it a standalone feature along the creek. Despite the lack of detailed information on its construction and completion date, the dam remains a crucial recreational resource in the region, attracting enthusiasts and visitors seeking outdoor activities and water-based adventures.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Darden Dam offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of human infrastructure and natural ecosystems. As a private entity with state oversight, the dam represents a balance between public safety and recreational enjoyment. Its presence along the Upper Barton Creek adds both beauty and function to the local landscape, serving as a reminder of the importance of responsible dam management in the face of changing environmental conditions and increasing water demands.
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 Darden Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Crabtree Cr At Ebenezer Church Rd Nr Raleigh | 14 cfs | → |
| Crabtree Creek At Hwy 70 At Raleigh | 13 cfs | → |
| Neuse River Near Falls | 123 cfs | → |
| Crabtree Creek At Us 1 At Raleigh | 17 cfs | → |
| Rocky Branch Below Pullen Drive At Raleigh | 0 cfs | → |
| Marsh C Nr New Hope | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Darden Dam.
Boat launches
- Barton's Creek Boat Ramp
- Durham County
- Falls Lake Trail Wake County
- Baptist Route 4398, Durham County
- Lake Trail Wake County
- Creedmoor Road 13900, Town Of Wake Forest
Campgrounds
- Rolling View - Falls Lake
- William B. Umstead State Park
- Blue Heron Campground
- Osprey Nest Campground
- Bootleg Point Campground
- Shortleaf Pine Campground
Track Darden 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 Darden Dam
Where does the data for Darden 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 Darden Dam.