Winston-salem Forsyth County Lagoon #1 Dam
Winston-salem Forsyth County Lagoon #1 Dam is an earth dam located in Forsyth County, North Carolina. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Winston-salem Forsyth County Lagoon #1 Dam
The primary purpose of Winston-salem Forsyth County Lagoon #1 Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Winston-salem/forsyth County Utilities (local government). It impounds the Salem Creek near Winston Salem.
The dam stands 12 feet tall and stretches 2,500 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 9 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 70 acre-feet.
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 02/16/2024.
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 | Forsyth |
| Nearest City | Winston Salem |
| River/Stream | Salem Creek |
| Coordinates | 36.04020, -80.30170 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,500 ft |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 70 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 70 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 55 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 9 acres |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 02/16/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC06602 |
| Federal ID | NC06602 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |