Little River Dam dam
Little River Dam
Little River Dam, located in Falls, North Carolina, is a vital structure owned by the local government and regulated by various state agencies, including NCDEQ's Dam Safety Program. Completed in 1984, this earth-type dam stands at a structural height of 95 feet, with a hydraulic height of 49 feet, serving primarily for flood risk reduction. The dam boasts a capacity of 18,000 acre-feet, with a normal storage of 8,300 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 550 acres and draining an extensive area of 62,080 acres.
With a high hazard potential but a satisfactory condition assessment as of March 2021, Little River Dam plays a crucial role in mitigating flood risks in the region and ensuring water supply reliability. The dam also offers recreational opportunities for the local community, showcasing its multi-purpose functionality. Positioned along the Little River, the dam stands as a testament to effective water resource management and climate resilience efforts in Durham, North Carolina.
As a significant infrastructure for flood control and water management, Little River Dam represents a critical component in the region's water resource system. Its strategic location, substantial storage capacity, and multi-use purposes underscore its importance in safeguarding the community against potential hazards while providing essential services for both recreational and water supply needs. With regular inspections and maintenance ensuring its operational integrity, Little River Dam stands as a symbol of proactive measures in managing water resources and climate-related challenges in 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 Little River Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little R Bl Little R Trib At Fairntosh | 49 cfs | → |
| Flat River Trib Nr Willardville | 0 cfs | → |
| Mountain Creek At Sr1617 Nr Bahama | 0 cfs | → |
| Flat River At Dam Near Bahama | 2 cfs | → |
| Little River At Sr1461 Near Orange Factory | 2 cfs | → |
| Eno River Near Durham | 13 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Little River Dam.
Boat launches
- Rodolphe Street 6122, Durham
- Hickory Hill Boat Ramp
- Ledge Rock Boat Ramp, Creedmoor
- Baptist Route 4398, Durham County
- Durham County
- Duck Cove Trail Wake County
Campgrounds
- Redwood Campsite
- Rolling View - Falls Lake
- Holly Point - Falls Lake
- Two Oaks Campground
- Shortleaf Pine Campground
- Overlook Campground
Track Little River 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 Little River Dam
Where does the data for Little River 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 Little River Dam.