Surles Pond dam
Surles Pond
Surles Pond, located in Sampson, North Carolina, is a private recreational water resource nestled near the Great Coharie Creek. With a structural height of 15 feet and a hydraulic height of 10 feet, this earth dam stands at 420 feet in length and boasts a storage capacity of 21 acre-feet. The pond covers an expansive surface area of 3.5 acres, providing a serene backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy various recreational activities. Despite its high hazard potential, Surles Pond's condition remains unrated as of the last inspection in January 2021.
The dam at Surles Pond serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a tranquil retreat for visitors seeking to immerse themselves in nature. Although not regulated by the state, the dam undergoes regular inspections to ensure safety. The surrounding area, including the city of Mcdaniels, benefits from the presence of this water body, which provides both aesthetic beauty and opportunities for leisure. Water resource and climate enthusiasts may find Surles Pond to be a captivating destination, offering a glimpse into the intersection of human activity and natural landscapes in North Carolina.
As a private water resource, Surles Pond presents an intriguing case study for those interested in the management and maintenance of small-scale dams. While the dam's hazard potential is classified as high, the absence of a condition assessment leaves room for further evaluation and potential risk mitigation measures. With its peaceful setting and recreational allure, Surles Pond stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of human recreation and environmental stewardship in the heart of Sampson County.
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 Surles Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black River Near Tomahawk | 53 cfs | → |
| Cape Fear R At Wilm O Huske Lock Nr Tarheel | 770 cfs | → |
| Big Swamp Nr Tarheel | 3 cfs | → |
| Northeast Cape Fear River Near Chinquapin | 29 cfs | → |
| Cape Fear R At Lock #1 Nr Kelly | 1,160 cfs | → |
| Little River At Manchester | 36 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Surles Pond.
Fishing spots
Track Surles Pond 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 Surles Pond
Where does the data for Surles Pond 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 Surles Pond.