Phillips Dam

Phillips Dam is an earth dam located in Graham County, North Carolina. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a unsatisfactory condition assessment.

About Phillips Dam

The primary purpose of Phillips Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Janie Shuler (private). It impounds the Ut To Tulula Creek near Robbinsville.

The dam stands 31 feet tall and stretches 230 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 22 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles.

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 unsatisfactory, indicating serious safety deficiencies exist that require immediate attention or remedial action. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 01/23/2024.

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.

High HazardUnsatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateNorth Carolina
CountyGraham
Nearest CityRobbinsville
River/StreamUt To Tulula Creek
Coordinates35.31250, -83.79870

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height31 ft
Dam Length230 ft

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage22 acre-ft
Max Storage22 acre-ft
Normal Storage12 acre-ft
Surface Area2 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge185 cfs

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerJanie Shuler
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentUnsatisfactory
Last Inspection01/23/2024
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDNC01269
Federal IDNC01269
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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