Sapphire Valley Golf Course Dam

About Sapphire Valley Golf Course Dam

The primary purpose of Sapphire Valley Golf Course Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Sapphire Resort Enterprises, Inc. (private). It impounds the Mud Creek near Sapphire.

The dam stands 22 feet tall and stretches 160 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 15 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 unsatisfactory, indicating serious safety deficiencies exist that require immediate attention or remedial action. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 02/22/2024.

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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