Wendy Hill Dam

Wendy Hill Dam is an earth dam located in Chatham County, North Carolina, built in 1995. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Wendy Hill Dam

The primary purpose of Wendy Hill Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Michael J Johnson (private). It impounds the Lick Branch.

The dam stands 26 feet tall and stretches 535 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 13 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 163 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1995, the structure is 31 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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 02/14/2025.

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.

High HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateNorth Carolina
CountyChatham
River/StreamLick Branch
Coordinates35.79830, -78.95460

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height26 ft
Dam Length535 ft
Year Completed1995 (31 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage163 acre-ft
Max Storage163 acre-ft
Normal Storage100 acre-ft
Surface Area13 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge413 cfs

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerMichael J Johnson
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection02/14/2025
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDNC02067
Federal IDNC02067
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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