Moretz Lake Dam
Moretz Lake Dam is a concrete dam located in Alexander County, North Carolina, built in 1921. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Moretz Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Moretz Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Brenda K Whisnant (private). It impounds the Middle Little River near Falls.
The dam stands 30 feet tall and stretches 230 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 50 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 46 square miles. Completed in 1921, 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. Notably, no emergency action plan is currently on file for this high-hazard dam. The most recent inspection on record was 01/16/2025.
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 | Alexander |
| Nearest City | Falls |
| River/Stream | Middle Little River |
| Coordinates | 35.84610, -81.27930 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Length | 230 ft |
| Year Completed | 1921 (105 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 50 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 50 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 46 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 6,700 cfs |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Brenda K Whisnant |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 01/16/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC01341 |
| Federal ID | NC01341 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |