Breeden Lake Dam dam
Breeden Lake Dam
Breeden Lake Dam, located in Carthage, North Carolina, is a private earth dam constructed in 1994 for the primary purpose of recreation. With a hydraulic height of 22.8 feet and a structural height of 26.3 feet, the dam sits on Mclendons Creek-Trail River and has a drainage area of 25.3 square miles. The dam has a storage capacity of 100 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 20 acre-feet, providing a surface area of 3 acres for recreational activities.
Although Breeden Lake Dam is classified as having a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, the last inspection was conducted in October 2013. The dam has not been modified in recent years, and there are no associated structures or outlet gates. The dam is not regulated by the state and does not require permits or enforcement actions. Despite its relatively low risk assessment, water resource and climate enthusiasts may find Breeden Lake Dam an interesting case study for private dam management and recreational water storage in North Carolina.
Overall, Breeden Lake Dam serves as a recreational hub in Moore County, offering opportunities for fishing, boating, and other water-based activities. While the dam does not fall under state jurisdiction, its presence on Mclendons Creek-Trail River adds to the diverse water resource landscape of the region. With a focus on recreation and a history dating back to 1994, Breeden Lake Dam provides a unique perspective for those interested in the intersection of water management, climate resilience, and recreational uses in dam infrastructure.
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 Breeden Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Drowning Creek Near Hoffman | 43 cfs | → |
| Flat Creek Near Inverness | 3 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Star | 7 cfs | → |
| Tick Creek Near Mount Vernon Springs | 1 cfs | → |
| Rockfish Creek At Raeford | 50 cfs | → |
| Deep River At Moncure | 111 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Breeden Lake Dam.
⚓ Boat launches
- Niagara Carthage Road 3326, Whispering Pines
- Shadow Drive 93, Whispering Pines
- Dewberry Drive Whispering Pines
- Carolina Way 956, Harnett County
- Highway 42 1-199, Sanford
- Jordan Dam Road 935, Chatham County
⛺ Campgrounds
More campgrounds →🎣 Fishing spots
- Aberdeen Town Lake
- Big Branch
- Broadacres Lakes
- Broadacres Lake
- Blewett Falls Lake Grassy Island
- Baldwins Pond
Track Breeden Lake 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 Breeden Lake Dam
Where does the data for Breeden Lake 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 Breeden Lake Dam.