Somerton Lake Dam dam
Somerton Lake Dam
Somerton Lake Dam, located in Burlington, North Carolina, is a privately owned structure regulated by the state's Dam Safety Program. The dam, primarily designed for recreation, stands at a height of 9.6 feet with a hydraulic height of 5.2 feet. It holds a maximum storage capacity of 46.89 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 16.1 acre-feet. Despite its purpose for recreation, the dam is classified with a high hazard potential and is currently assessed as being in poor condition.
The dam, situated on Gum Creek-Tr, is a crucial water resource for the local community, offering recreational opportunities and supporting wildlife habitats. However, the recent inspection in December 2020 revealed concerns about its structural integrity and overall condition. With a high hazard potential, there is a pressing need for maintenance and risk management measures to ensure the safety of the surrounding area and the sustainability of the dam's operation. Climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates must monitor developments at Somerton Lake Dam to support its continued function and environmental impact.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is imperative to stay informed about the status of Somerton Lake Dam and advocate for necessary improvements to ensure its safety and longevity. With a high hazard potential and poor condition assessment, the dam requires immediate attention to address any potential risks and safeguard the surrounding community and ecosystem. By monitoring updates from the state regulatory agencies and supporting maintenance efforts, enthusiasts can contribute to the preservation of this vital water resource and mitigate potential climate-related challenges in the region.
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 Somerton Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Haw River At Haw River | 90 cfs | → |
| Reedy Fork Near Gibsonville | 3 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek At Sr2819 Nr Mcleansville | 51 cfs | → |
| North Buffalo Creek Near Greensboro | 5 cfs | → |
| South Buffalo Cr Near Greensboro | 3 cfs | → |
| North Buffalo Creek At Church St At Greensboro | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Somerton Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Homeview Road Burlington
- Island Trail Alamance County
- Haw River Trail Alamance County
- Haw River Trail Haw River
- Graham Paddle Access Graham
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Somerton Lake 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 Somerton Lake Dam
Where does the data for Somerton Lake 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 Somerton Lake Dam.