The Wilds Dam is an earth dam located in Transylvania County, North Carolina, built in 1969. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 45 ft45 ft tall and 285 ft long, taller than 90% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About The Wilds Dam
The primary purpose of The Wilds Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by The Wilds Christian Association, Inc. (private). It impounds the Toxaway River near Lake Toxaway.
The dam stands 45 feet tall and stretches 285 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 5 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 110 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1969, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years 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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 03/15/2022.
At 45 feet, this dam is taller than 90% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Transylvania |
| Nearest City | Lake Toxaway |
| River/Stream | Toxaway River |
| Coordinates | 35.08600, -82.86750 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 45 ft |
| Dam Length | 285 ft |
| Year Completed | 1969 (57 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 110 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 110 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 78 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 5 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | The Wilds Christian Association, Inc. |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 03/15/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC01385 |
| Federal ID | NC01385 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |