Morganton Watershed Dam
Morganton Watershed Dam is a concrete dam located in Burke County, North Carolina, built in 1939. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Morganton Watershed Dam
The primary purpose of Morganton Watershed 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 Nc Department Of Natural And Cultural Resources (state). It impounds the Henry River near Morganton.
The dam stands 31 feet tall and stretches 140 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 24 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 150 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 5 square miles. Completed in 1939, 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 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 12/19/2023.
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 | Burke |
| Nearest City | Morganton |
| River/Stream | Henry River |
| Coordinates | 35.62310, -81.70460 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 31 ft |
| Dam Length | 140 ft |
| Year Completed | 1939 (87 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 150 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 150 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 24 acres |
| Drainage Area | 5 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 431 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 12/19/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC01288 |
| Federal ID | NC01288 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |