Lake Corriher Dam
Lake Corriher Dam is an earth dam located in Rowan County, North Carolina, built in 1953. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Lake Corriher Dam
The primary purpose of Lake Corriher 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 Town Of Landis (local government). It impounds the Flat Rock Branch near China Grove.
The dam stands 23 feet tall and stretches 450 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 29 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 275 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1953, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 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 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 02/27/2025.
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 | Rowan |
| Nearest City | China Grove |
| River/Stream | Flat Rock Branch |
| Coordinates | 35.56500, -80.60860 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 23 ft |
| Dam Length | 450 ft |
| Year Completed | 1953 (73 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 275 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 275 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 120 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 29 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,890 cfs |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Town of Landis |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 02/27/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC01272 |
| Federal ID | NC01272 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |