High Lake Dam
High Lake Dam is a concrete dam located in Caldwell County, North Carolina, built in 1920. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About High Lake Dam
The primary purpose of High Lake Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Mhc Green Mountain Park, Llc (private). It impounds the Zacks Fork Creek near Lenoir.
The dam stands 35 feet tall and stretches 100 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 6 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 84 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1920, the structure is over a century 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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 04/09/2025.
At 35 feet, this dam is taller than 82% 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.
Location
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Caldwell |
| Nearest City | Lenoir |
| River/Stream | Zacks Fork Creek |
| Coordinates | 35.97253, -81.50974 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 35 ft |
| Dam Length | 100 ft |
| Year Completed | 1920 (106 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 84 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 84 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 70 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 6 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 330 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | MHC Green Mountain Park, LLC |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 04/09/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC00432 |
| Federal ID | NC00432 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |