Kellys Pond Dam
Kellys Pond Dam is an earth dam located in Lenoir County, North Carolina, built in 1774. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Kellys Pond Dam
Kellys Pond Dam is a dam in Lenoir, North Carolina. It impounds the Southwest Creek near Graingers.
The dam stands 15 feet tall and stretches 1,500 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 70 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 384 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 57 square miles. Completed in 1774, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.
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. Notably, no emergency action plan is currently on file for this high-hazard dam. The most recent inspection on record was 02/15/2024.
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 | Lenoir |
| Nearest City | Graingers |
| River/Stream | Southwest Creek |
| Coordinates | 35.22850, -77.54380 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 15 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,500 ft |
| Year Completed | 1774 (252 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 384 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 384 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 320 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 70 acres |
| Drainage Area | 57 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 116 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Other |
| Owner Type | Not Listed |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Rated |
| Last Inspection | 02/15/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC00946 |
| Federal ID | NC00946 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |