Laurel Lake dam
Laurel Lake
Laurel Lake, also known as Horne Dam, is a picturesque water resource located in Watauga, North Carolina. Owned privately, this recreational lake was designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1978. With a primary purpose of recreation, this earth dam boasts a hydraulic height of 29.4 feet and a structural height of 32.5 feet, providing a serene oasis for water and climate enthusiasts to enjoy.
Situated on the North Fork Laurel Creek, Laurel Lake covers a surface area of 2 acres and has a normal storage capacity of 22 acre-feet. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with an outlet gate also uncontrolled. Despite its fair condition assessment and low hazard potential, the risk assessment for Laurel Lake indicates a moderate risk level (3), suggesting a need for ongoing monitoring and risk management measures to ensure the safety and sustainability of this beloved recreational resource.
With its tranquil setting and recreational offerings, Laurel Lake is a hidden gem in North Carolina, attracting visitors seeking outdoor adventures and natural beauty. As one of the few privately owned water resources in the area, Laurel Lake provides a unique opportunity to connect with nature while appreciating the importance of water resource management and climate resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Laurel Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Elk Creek At Elkville | 23 cfs | → |
| Yadkin River At Patterson | 12 cfs | → |
| South Fork New River Near Jefferson | 124 cfs | → |
| Watauga River Near Sugar Grove | 38 cfs | → |
| Reddies River At North Wilkesboro | 41 cfs | → |
| Yadkin River At Wilkesboro | 313 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Laurel Lake.
Boat launches
- Stuart Williams Road Watauga County
- Roby Green Road Watauga County
- River Road Watauga County
- Castle Ford Road Ashe County
- Big Hill Road Watauga County
- Price Lake Trail Watauga County
Campgrounds
- Deep Gap Campsite
- Goshen Creek
- Honey Bear Campground
- Old Johns River Road
- Obids Creek Campsite
- Price Park Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Watauga Reservoir To Tn/Nc State Line
- Headwaters Above Linville Gap To Blue Ridge Parkway Boundary
- Blue Ridge Parkway Boundary To Linville Gorge Boundary
- Headwaters To Tn/Va State Line
- Linville Gorge Wilderness Boundary To Southern End Of Wilderness
- Linville Wilderness Boundary To Lake James
Track Laurel Lake 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 Laurel Lake
Where does the data for Laurel Lake 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 Laurel Lake.