Rink Lake Dam is an arch dam located in Alexander County, North Carolina, built in 1917. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 48 ft48 ft tall and 313 ft long, taller than 92% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a ten-story building, about 100 ft; the profile is a generic arch section and the water level is illustrative.
About Rink Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Rink Lake Dam is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Duke Energy Corporation (public utility). It impounds the Little River near Lake Hickory.
The dam stands 48 feet tall and stretches 313 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 94 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,129 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 53 square miles. Completed in 1917, 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 10/01/2024.
At 48 feet, this dam is taller than 92% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Alexander |
| Nearest City | Lake Hickory |
| River/Stream | Little River |
| Coordinates | 35.83020, -81.26670 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Arch |
| NID Height | 48 ft |
| Dam Length | 313 ft |
| Year Completed | 1917 (109 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,129 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,129 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,360 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 94 acres |
| Drainage Area | 53 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 10,500 cfs |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Duke Energy Corporation |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 10/01/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC01342 |
| Federal ID | NC01342 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |