Trout Lake Dam C.p.pk.mi.294.6 is an earth dam located in Watauga County, North Carolina, built in 1951. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
Dam profile
NID height · 28 ft28 ft tall, taller than 62% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Trout Lake Dam C.p.pk.mi.294.6
The primary purpose of Trout Lake Dam C.p.pk.mi.294.6 is fish and wildlife pond. The dam creates habitat for fish and wildlife, supporting local ecosystems and potentially serving conservation goals. The dam is owned by Doi NPS (federal). It impounds the Flannery Fork near Blowing Rock.
The dam stands 28 feet tall, and has a maximum storage capacity of 235 acre-feet. Completed in 1951, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 04/02/2025.
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 | Watauga |
| Nearest City | Blowing Rock |
| River/Stream | Flannery Fork |
| Coordinates | 36.15336, -81.70007 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Height | 28 ft |
| Year Completed | 1951 (75 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 235 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 235 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 115 acre-ft |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Fish and Wildlife Pond |
| Owner | Doi NPS |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not assessed |
| Last Inspection | 04/02/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC00255 |
| Federal ID | NC00255 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |