The Bynum - Canal Embankment is a historic earth dam located in Bynum, North Carolina, along the Haw River.
Wind
Humidity
Built in 1874 for hydroelectric purposes, this dam stands at 8 feet in height and stretches 500 feet in length, providing storage of up to 100 acre-feet of water. The dam is privately owned and operated, with no state jurisdiction or regulation, but falls under the oversight of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
Despite its low hazard potential, the Bynum - Canal Embankment poses a high risk, with a risk assessment rating of 2. The dam features two Tainter (radial) outlet gates and has a condition assessment listed as Not Available. While the dam has not been modified in recent years, it undergoes inspections every three years, with the last inspection conducted in February 2018. Emergency action plans have been prepared for this dam, with the most recent revision made in March 2021.
Enthusiasts interested in water resources and climate change will find the Bynum - Canal Embankment to be a captivating historical structure with a unique purpose in hydroelectric energy generation. The dam's location along the Haw River in Chatham County, North Carolina, offers a picturesque setting for studying the intersection of human infrastructure with natural waterways and ecosystems. With its long history and ongoing operation under federal oversight, this dam serves as a valuable case study in the management and maintenance of aging water infrastructure in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
Year Completed |
1874 |
Dam Length |
500 |
Dam Height |
8 |
River Or Stream |
Haw River |
Primary Dam Type |
Earth |
Surface Area |
20 |
Hydraulic Height |
8 |
Nid Storage |
100 |
Structural Height |
8 |
Outlet Gates |
Tainter (radial) - 2 |
Hazard Potential |
Low |
Nid Height |
8 |
Haw River Near Bynum
|
304cfs |
Deep River At Moncure
|
277cfs |
Morgan Creek Near White Cross
|
1cfs |
Morgan Creek Near Chapel Hill
|
20cfs |
White Oak Cr At Mouth Near Green Level
|
3cfs |
New Hope Creek Near Blands
|
26cfs |
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Parkers Creek State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
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Poplar Point State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
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Crosswinds State Rec Area - Jordan Lake
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