Walden Pond Dam #3
Walden Pond Dam #3 is an earth dam located in Union County, North Carolina, built in 1996. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Walden Pond Dam #3
The primary purpose of Walden Pond Dam #3 is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by John Ralph Wingard Jr. Heirs (private). It impounds the Tarkill Branch.
The dam stands 19 feet tall and stretches 230 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 8 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 111 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1996, the structure is 30 years 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 12/13/2023.
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 | Union |
| River/Stream | Tarkill Branch |
| Coordinates | 34.98080, -80.78860 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 19 ft |
| Dam Length | 230 ft |
| Year Completed | 1996 (30 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 111 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 111 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 50 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 8 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | John Ralph Wingard Jr. Heirs |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 12/13/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC05230 |
| Federal ID | NC05230 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |