Sapphire Lower Dam

About Sapphire Lower Dam

The primary purpose of Sapphire Lower Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Burlingame Property Owners Association (private). It impounds the Horsepasture River.

The dam stands 35 feet tall and stretches 245 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 50 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1993, the structure is 33 years old.

This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. The most recent inspection on record was 03/28/2023.

At 35 feet, this dam is taller than 82% of dams nationwide.

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