Cane Creek Resevoir Dam
Cane Creek Resevoir Dam is an earth dam located in Orange County, North Carolina, built in 1989. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Cane Creek Resevoir Dam
The primary purpose of Cane Creek Resevoir Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Orange Water And Sewer Authority (local government). It impounds the Cane Creek.
The dam stands 72 feet tall and stretches 1,350 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 19,079 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 31 square miles. Completed in 1989, the structure is 37 years 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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/14/2022.
At 72 feet, this dam is taller than 96% 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 | Orange |
| River/Stream | Cane Creek |
| Coordinates | 35.94950, -79.24190 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 72 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,350 ft |
| Year Completed | 1989 (37 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 19,079 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 19,079 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 31 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Orange Water and Sewer Authority |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/14/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC00779 |
| Federal ID | NC00779 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |