Estes Lake Dam is an earth dam located in McDowell County, North Carolina, built in 1973. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 25 ft25 ft tall and 344 ft long, taller than 50% 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 Estes Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Estes Lake Dam is fish and wildlife pond. The dam creates habitat for fish and wildlife, supporting local ecosystems and potentially serving conservation goals. The dam is owned by Camp Timberlake Properties, LLC (private). It impounds the Ut to Second Broad River.
The dam stands 25 feet tall and stretches 344 feet across, and creates a reservoir covering 6 acres. Completed in 1973, 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. The most recent inspection on record was 02/05/2024.
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Location
| State | North Carolina |
| County | McDowell |
| River/Stream | Ut to Second Broad River |
| Coordinates | 35.59350, -82.01950 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 25 ft |
| Dam Length | 344 ft |
| Year Completed | 1973 (53 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| Surface Area | 6 acres |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Fish and Wildlife Pond |
| Owner | Camp Timberlake Properties, LLC |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 02/05/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC05722 |
| Federal ID | NC05722 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |