Upchurch Lane Dam dam
Upchurch Lane Dam
Upchurch Lane Dam, located in Wake County, North Carolina, is a recreational dam on Harris Creek with a hydraulic height of 10 feet and a structural height of 15 feet. The dam, primarily used for recreation, has a storage capacity of 115 acre-feet and covers an area of 18.7 acres. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is not currently regulated by the state and has not been assessed for its condition.
The dam, built with earth materials, spans 250 feet in length and serves as a popular spot for outdoor activities in the region. While it may not be a large or heavily regulated structure, Upchurch Lane Dam provides a valuable recreational resource for locals and visitors alike. Its location along Harris Creek adds to its scenic appeal and makes it a destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in exploring the diverse landscapes of North Carolina.
Although the dam has not been fully assessed for its condition or equipped with emergency action plans, it continues to offer a safe and enjoyable environment for recreational use. With its picturesque setting and potential for outdoor recreation, Upchurch Lane Dam remains a hidden gem in Wake County, inviting exploration and appreciation from those who appreciate the intersection of water resources and natural beauty.
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 Upchurch Lane Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Neuse River Near Falls | 123 cfs | → |
| Marsh C Nr New Hope | 1 cfs | → |
| Crabtree Creek At Us 1 At Raleigh | 17 cfs | → |
| Walnut Creek At Sunnybrook Drive Nr Raleigh | 4 cfs | → |
| Crabtree Creek At Hwy 70 At Raleigh | 13 cfs | → |
| Rocky Branch Below Pullen Drive At Raleigh | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upchurch Lane Dam.
Boat launches
- Neuse River Trail Raleigh
- Milburnie Dam Bridge Raleigh
- Neuse River Trail Wake County
- Barton's Creek Boat Ramp
- Falls Lake Trail Wake County
- Walnut Creek Trail Raleigh
Campgrounds
- Durant Nature Park
- Shoreline Campground
- Blue Heron Campground
- Bootleg Point Campground
- Osprey Nest Campground
- Overlook Campground
Track Upchurch Lane 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 Upchurch Lane Dam
Where does the data for Upchurch Lane 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 Upchurch Lane Dam.