Mintz Lake Dam
Mintz Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Cumberland County, North Carolina, built in 1920. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Mintz Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Mintz 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 Fayetteville Public Works Commission (local government). It impounds the Little Cross Creek near Fayetteville.
The dam stands 12 feet tall and stretches 550 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 15 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 103 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 6 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 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 05/31/2024.
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 | Cumberland |
| Nearest City | Fayetteville |
| River/Stream | Little Cross Creek |
| Coordinates | 35.08932, -78.92433 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Length | 550 ft |
| Year Completed | 1920 (106 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 103 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 103 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 49 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 15 acres |
| Drainage Area | 6 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 685 cfs |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Fayetteville Public Works Commission |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 05/31/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC01132 |
| Federal ID | NC01132 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |