Queens Creek
Queens Creek is a rockfill dam located in Macon County, North Carolina, built in 1949. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Queens Creek
The primary purpose of Queens Creek is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Duke Energy (public utility). It impounds the Queens Creek, Nantahala River near Nantahala.
The dam stands 78 feet tall and stretches 382 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 28 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 500 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 4 square miles. Completed in 1949, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 07/13/2022.
At 78 feet, this dam is taller than 97% of all dams in the United States.
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 | Macon |
| Nearest City | Nantahala |
| River/Stream | Queens Creek, Nantahala River |
| Coordinates | 35.27566, -83.65662 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Rockfill |
| NID Height | 78 ft |
| Dam Height | 78 ft |
| Dam Length | 382 ft |
| Year Completed | 1949 (77 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 500 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 500 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 500 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 28 acres |
| Drainage Area | 4 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 15,600 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Duke Energy |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/13/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC00333 |
| Federal ID | NC00333 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |