Howell Dam dam
Howell Dam
Howell Dam, located in Wake County, North Carolina, stands as a private entity regulated by state agencies for its recreational purposes. Situated along the White Oak Creek-Tr, this Earth-type dam boasts a hydraulic height of 25 feet and a structural height of 27 feet, with a length spanning 530 feet. With a storage capacity of 36 acre-feet, the dam covers a surface area of 3 acres and drains a watershed area of 10 square miles.
Despite its fair condition assessment and high hazard potential, Howell Dam remains a popular spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking outdoor recreational opportunities. The dam's last inspection in February 2021 highlighted its need for frequent monitoring, with inspection frequency set at every 2 years. As a significant structure within the Wilmington District, Howell Dam presents both a challenge and an adventure for those interested in its management and conservation.
With its captivating location and vital role in the local water ecosystem, Howell Dam serves as a focal point for understanding the delicate balance between water resource management and recreational activities. As efforts continue to ensure its safety and integrity, Howell Dam stands as a testament to the interplay between human infrastructure and natural landscapes, making it a compelling site for exploration and study for water resource and climate enthusiasts alike.
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 Howell Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White Oak Cr At Mouth Near Green Level | · | → |
| Swift Creek Near Apex | 1 cfs | → |
| Northeast Creek At Sr1100 Nr Genlee | 8 cfs | → |
| New Hope Creek Near Blands | 11 cfs | → |
| Crabtree Cr At Ebenezer Church Rd Nr Raleigh | 14 cfs | → |
| Swift Creek Near Mccullars Crossroads | 13 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Howell Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Trail Wake County
- Ferrington Boat Ramp, Chapel Hill
- Lake Wheeler Boat Ramp
- Walnut Creek Trail Raleigh
- Bartley Holleman Road 3519-3621, New Hill
- Hanks Chapel Road 2765, Town Of Pittsboro
Campgrounds
- Crosswinds State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- Poplar Point State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- William B. Umstead State Park
- Parkers Creek State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- Rolling View - Falls Lake
- Durant Nature Park
Track Howell 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 Howell Dam
Where does the data for Howell 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 Howell Dam.