Dams in Burke County, North Carolina
25Total Dams
10High Hazard
11Significant
Dam Safety in Burke County, North Carolina
Burke County has 25 dams tracked in the National Inventory of Dams. Of these, 10 are classified as high hazard — meaning failure would probably cause loss of human life. Another 11 carry a significant hazard classification. Currently, 9 dams have a condition assessment of poor or unsatisfactory.
The average dam in Burke County is 83 years old. The most common purpose is recreation. The tallest dam is Paddy Creek Embankment at 165 ft.
Explore more: Oldest dams in North Carolina · Tallest dams · High risk dams · Largest reservoirs
| Dam | Hazard | Condition | Height (ft) | Purpose | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paddy Creek Embankment | High | Satisfactory | 165 | Hydroelectric | 1919 |
| Linville | High | Satisfactory | 160 | Hydroelectric | 1919 |
| Catawba | High | Satisfactory | 150 | Hydroelectric | 1919 |
| South Mountain State Park Dam | High | Fair | 57 | Recreation | 1950 |
| Henry River Dam | High | Unsatisfactory | 38 | Hydroelectric | 1902 |
| Morganton Watershed Dam | High | Fair | 31 | Water Supply | 1939 |
| Barus Dam | High | Poor | 22 | Recreation | |
| Maple Lane Fish Pond Dam | High | Poor | 17 | Recreation | |
| Coffey Pond Dam | High | Poor | 15 | Recreation | |
| Paddy Creek Chute Spillway | High | Satisfactory | 1 | Hydroelectric | 1919 |
| Willis Lake Dam | Significant | Unsatisfactory | 40 | Recreation | 1955 |
| Waters Lake Dam | Significant | Poor | 30 | Recreation | 1968 |
| Mccorkle Lake Dam | Significant | Poor | 27 | Recreation | 1977 |
| Leonhardt Lake Dam | Significant | Fair | 25 | Recreation | 1969 |
| Bormuth Dam | Significant | Fair | 24 | Recreation | |
| Table Rock Fish Hatchery Dam | Significant | Fair | 23 | Fish and Wildlife Pond | 1947 |
| Pritchard Pond Dam | Significant | Fair | 17 | Recreation | |
| Miller Pond Dam | Significant | Satisfactory | 17 | Recreation | |
| Goodman Pond Dam | Significant | Poor | 16 | Recreation | |
| Harris Pond Dam | Significant | 15 | Recreation | ||
| Hollar Street Dam | Significant | 0 | Other | ||
| Valdese Lake Dam | Low | Not Rated | 50 | Water Supply | 1935 |
| Leibhart Lake Dam | Low | Fair | 37 | Recreation | |
| Henredon Lake Dam | Low | Satisfactory | 36 | Water Supply | 1979 |
| Broughton Farm Pond #2 Dam | Low | Poor | 28 | Recreation |