Clouse Lake Dam

Clouse Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Yancey County, North Carolina, built in 1978. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a unsatisfactory condition assessment.

About Clouse Lake Dam

The primary purpose of Clouse Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Shoal Pond Land, Llc (private). It impounds the Ut To Shoal Creek near Windom.

The dam stands 42 feet tall and stretches 195 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 0 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 30 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1978, the structure is 48 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 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 01/22/2025.

At 42 feet, this dam is taller than 89% of dams nationwide.

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 HazardUnsatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateNorth Carolina
CountyYancey
Nearest CityWindom
River/StreamUt To Shoal Creek
Coordinates35.92430, -82.24900

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height42 ft
Dam Length195 ft
Year Completed1978 (48 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage30 acre-ft
Max Storage30 acre-ft
Normal Storage10 acre-ft
Surface Area0 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge142 cfs

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerShoal Pond Land, LLC
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentUnsatisfactory
Last Inspection01/22/2025
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDNC04749
Federal IDNC04749
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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