Vaughan Dam dam
Vaughan Dam
Vaughan Dam, located in Wake, North Carolina, is a private dam primarily used for recreation purposes. With a hydraulic height of 20 feet and a structural height of 22 feet, it spans 360 feet in length and has a storage capacity of 118 acre-feet. The dam is situated on Buckhorn Creek-Tr, managed by the Wilmington District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, and falls under the oversight of NC state inspections.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Vaughan Dam is in fair condition as of its last assessment in January 2018. With a normal storage capacity of 68 acre-feet, the dam covers a surface area of 10 acres and serves as a recreational spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts. While it does not require state permitting, the dam undergoes regular state inspections to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations.
Overall, Vaughan Dam offers a picturesque location for recreation in Wake, North Carolina, attracting visitors to its tranquil waters and surrounding natural beauty. Its moderate size and low hazard potential make it a popular destination for outdoor activities, while its regular maintenance and inspection ensure the safety of both the dam and its visitors. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Vaughan Dam represents a unique blend of leisure and environmental stewardship in the heart of North Carolina.
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 Vaughan Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Buckhorn Creek Nr Corinth | 8 cfs | → |
| Swift Creek Near Apex | 1 cfs | → |
| Swift Creek Near Mccullars Crossroads | 13 cfs | → |
| White Oak Cr At Mouth Near Green Level | · | → |
| Cape Fear River At Lillington | 542 cfs | → |
| Deep River At Moncure | 54 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Vaughan Dam.
Boat launches
- Bartley Holleman Road 3519-3621, New Hill
- Crosspoint Road 388, New Hill
- Highway 42 1-199, Sanford
- Lake Wheeler Boat Ramp
- Jordan Dam Road 935, Chatham County
- Walnut Creek Trail Raleigh
Campgrounds
- Poplar Point State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- Crosswinds State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- Parkers Creek State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- San Lee County Park
- William B. Umstead State Park
- Durant Nature Park
Track Vaughan 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 Vaughan Dam
Where does the data for Vaughan 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 Vaughan Dam.