Hamilton Pond Dam dam
Hamilton Pond Dam
Hamilton Pond Dam, located in Benson, North Carolina, was completed in 1940 and serves primarily for irrigation purposes while also offering recreational opportunities. This private dam on Pole Branch is regulated by the NCDEQ Dam Safety Program, ensuring state oversight in its permitting, inspection, and enforcement processes. Despite its fair condition assessment as of December 2020, the dam poses a high hazard potential, indicating the need for continued monitoring and potential risk management measures.
With a lack of specific physical data such as dam height or storage capacity, Hamilton Pond Dam still stands as a significant piece of water infrastructure in Johnston County. The dam's last inspection in December 2020 highlighted its fair condition, prompting a biennial inspection frequency to monitor any potential changes. While the dam may not be under the jurisdiction of federal agencies, its importance for irrigation and recreation in the local community cannot be overstated, emphasizing the need for ongoing maintenance and safety measures to ensure its continued functionality.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts explore the intricate network of dams in North Carolina, Hamilton Pond Dam stands out for its unique blend of agricultural and recreational utility. Despite its high hazard potential and fair condition, the dam remains a vital asset for the local community's water management needs. With continued state regulation and oversight, Hamilton Pond Dam will likely play a crucial role in sustaining the surrounding ecosystem and supporting the region's water resources for years to come.
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 Hamilton Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Creek Near Clayton | 7 cfs | → |
| Neuse River Near Clayton | 242 cfs | → |
| Cape Fear River At Lillington | 542 cfs | → |
| Swift Creek Near Mccullars Crossroads | 13 cfs | → |
| Walnut Creek At Sunnybrook Drive Nr Raleigh | 4 cfs | → |
| Swift Creek Near Apex | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hamilton Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Buffalo Creek Greenway Smithfield
- Lake Wheeler Boat Ramp
- Neuse River Trail Wake County
- Walnut Creek Trail Raleigh
- Milburnie Dam Bridge Raleigh
- Bartley Holleman Road 3519-3621, New Hill
Campgrounds
- Rvacation Campground
- William B. Umstead State Park
- Durant Nature Park
- Crosswinds State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
- Poplar Point State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
Fishing spots
Track Hamilton Pond 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 Hamilton Pond Dam
Where does the data for Hamilton Pond 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 Hamilton Pond Dam.