Macgregor Downs Lake Dam
Macgregor Downs Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Wake County, North Carolina, built in 1948. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Macgregor Downs Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Macgregor Downs Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Town Of Cary (local government). It impounds the Swift Creek near Apex.
The dam stands 35 feet tall and stretches 960 feet across, and has a maximum storage capacity of 486 acre-feet. Completed in 1948, 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 02/24/2025.
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 | Wake |
| Nearest City | Apex |
| River/Stream | Swift Creek |
| Coordinates | 35.74180, -78.79550 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 35 ft |
| Dam Length | 960 ft |
| Year Completed | 1948 (78 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 486 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 486 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 400 acre-ft |
| Max Discharge | 234 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Town of Cary |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 02/24/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC00848 |
| Federal ID | NC00848 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |