Turner Shoals Dam
Turner Shoals Dam is a concrete dam located in Polk County, North Carolina, built in 1925. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Turner Shoals Dam
The primary purpose of Turner Shoals Dam is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Polk County (local government). It impounds the Green River near Forest City.
The dam stands 87 feet tall and stretches 665 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 438 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 16,530 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 138 square miles. Completed in 1925, the structure is over a century old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 01/23/2024.
At 87 feet, this dam is taller than 97% of all dams in the United States.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The North Carolina dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Polk |
| Nearest City | Forest City |
| River/Stream | Green River |
| Coordinates | 35.33530, -82.18780 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 87 ft |
| Dam Length | 665 ft |
| Year Completed | 1925 (101 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 16,530 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 16,530 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 13,776 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 438 acres |
| Drainage Area | 138 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 34,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Polk County |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 01/23/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC00208 |
| Federal ID | NC00208 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |