Howard Hensley Dam
Howard Hensley Dam is an earth dam located in Rowan County, North Carolina, built in 1983. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Howard Hensley Dam
The primary purpose of Howard Hensley Dam is fire protection, stock, or small fish pond. The dam maintains a small impoundment used for fire suppression, livestock watering, or as a fish pond. The dam is owned by Daniel And Linda R Rosenbalm (private). It impounds the Kerr Creek.
The dam stands 30 feet tall and stretches 315 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 6 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 78 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1983, the structure is 43 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. Notably, no emergency action plan is currently on file for this high-hazard dam. The most recent inspection on record was 02/05/2025.
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 |
| River/Stream | Kerr Creek |
| Coordinates | 35.57950, -80.67400 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Length | 315 ft |
| Year Completed | 1983 (43 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 78 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 78 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 61 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 6 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond |
| Owner | Daniel and Linda R Rosenbalm |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 02/05/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC04082 |
| Federal ID | NC04082 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |