Nantahala is a rockfill dam located in Macon County, North Carolina, built in 1942. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 250 ft250 ft tall and 1,042 ft long, taller than 99% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against the Statue of Liberty, 305 ft ground to torch; the profile is a generic rockfill embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Nantahala
The primary purpose of Nantahala 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 Nantahala River near Nantahala.
The dam stands 250 feet tall and stretches 1,042 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1,605 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 126,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 108 square miles. Completed in 1942, 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 07/12/2022.
At 250 feet, this dam is taller than 99% 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 | Nantahala River |
| Coordinates | 35.19924, -83.65317 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Rockfill |
| NID Height | 250 ft |
| Dam Height | 250 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,042 ft |
| Year Completed | 1942 (84 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 126,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 126,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 126,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1,605 acres |
| Drainage Area | 108 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 54,800 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Duke Energy |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/12/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC00371 |
| Federal ID | NC00371 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |