Helms Lake Dam
Helms Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Union County, North Carolina, built in 1972. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Helms Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Helms Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Scott E Anderson (private). It impounds the Stewart Creek near Monroe.
The dam stands 18 feet tall and stretches 450 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 6 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 51 acre-feet. Completed in 1972, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in 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 01/25/2023.
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Location
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Union |
| Nearest City | Monroe |
| River/Stream | Stewart Creek |
| Coordinates | 35.02390, -80.52930 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Length | 450 ft |
| Year Completed | 1972 (54 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 51 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 51 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 42 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 6 acres |
| Max Discharge | 149 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Scott E Anderson |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 01/25/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC00517 |
| Federal ID | NC00517 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |