Sapphire Lake Lower Dam

About Sapphire Lake Lower Dam

The primary purpose of Sapphire Lake Lower Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Sapphire Properties, Lp (private). It impounds the Horsepasture River near Sapphire.

The dam stands 20 feet tall and stretches 145 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 46 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 400 acre-feet. Completed in 1922, the structure is over a century 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 03/13/2025.

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