Atkins Dam dam
Atkins Dam
Atkins Dam, located in Harnett County, North Carolina, is a privately owned structure regulated by the state's Dam Safety Program. With a primary purpose of recreation, this earth dam on Neals Creek Trib stands at a hydraulic height of 12 feet and a structural height of 13 feet, with a length of 400 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 10.4 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 2 acres, making it a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts seeking water-based activities.
Despite its recreational appeal, Atkins Dam poses a high hazard potential and has been assessed to be in poor condition as of February 2021. The dam is subject to regular inspections and has an inspection frequency of every two years to ensure public safety. While the dam lacks certain emergency preparedness measures such as an Emergency Action Plan (EAP), it remains a notable feature in the Wilmington District and serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining and monitoring water resources for both recreation and safety purposes.
As climate change continues to impact water resources, structures like Atkins Dam serve as vital components in water management and conservation efforts. With its location in a region prone to extreme weather events, the dam's condition and regulatory oversight play a crucial role in mitigating potential risks and ensuring the sustainability of water resources for future generations. Enthusiasts and stakeholders alike should remain vigilant in monitoring and supporting initiatives that prioritize the safety and preservation of such critical infrastructure in the face of evolving climate challenges.
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 Atkins Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Buckhorn Creek Nr Corinth | 8 cfs | → |
| Cape Fear River At Lillington | 542 cfs | → |
| Swift Creek Near Mccullars Crossroads | 13 cfs | → |
| Swift Creek Near Apex | 1 cfs | → |
| Middle Creek Near Clayton | 7 cfs | → |
| White Oak Cr At Mouth Near Green Level | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Atkins 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
- San Lee County Park
- Parkers Creek State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- William B. Umstead State Park
- Durant Nature Park
Fishing spots
Track Atkins 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 Atkins Dam
Where does the data for Atkins 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 Atkins Dam.