Newcomb Lake Dam

About Newcomb Lake Dam

The primary purpose of Newcomb Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Swamp Fox, Llc (private). It impounds the Seven Mile Creek near Durham.

The dam stands 15 feet tall and stretches 400 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 20 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 94 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1942, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years 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. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Notably, no emergency action plan is currently on file for this high-hazard dam. The most recent inspection on record was 03/05/2021.

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.

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