High Meadows Lake Dam
High Meadows Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Alleghany County, North Carolina. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About High Meadows Lake Dam
The primary purpose of High Meadows Lake Dam is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by High Meadows Golf & Country Club (private). It impounds the Laurel Branch near Cherry Lane.
The dam stands 43 feet tall and stretches 600 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 6 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 103 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles.
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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 10/02/2024.
At 43 feet, this dam is taller than 89% of dams nationwide.
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 | Alleghany |
| Nearest City | Cherry Lane |
| River/Stream | Laurel Branch |
| Coordinates | 36.40720, -80.99770 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 43 ft |
| Dam Length | 600 ft |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 103 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 103 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 96 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 6 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | High Meadows Golf & Country Club |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 10/02/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC01227 |
| Federal ID | NC01227 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |