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High Risk Dams in North Carolina

North Carolina has 235 high hazard dams with a condition assessment of poor or unsatisfactory. These are dams where failure would probably cause loss of human life and where recognized safety deficiencies have been identified.

Of the 1637 high hazard dams in North Carolina, 235 (14%) have concerning condition ratings — 197 rated poor and 38 rated unsatisfactory.

Condition scale, best to worst
  1. Satisfactory No existing or potential safety deficiencies recognized; acceptable performance expected under all loading conditions.
  2. Fair No deficiencies under normal operating conditions; a rare flood or earthquake could create one.
  3. Poor A safety deficiency is recognized under normal operating conditions; remedial action is necessary.
  4. Unsatisfactory Worst rating. The dam is considered unsafe; a deficiency requires immediate or emergency remedial action.

"Not rated" means no assessment is on file in the National Inventory of Dams.

DamCountyHeight (ft)ConditionLast inspectedPurposeYear
SanteetlahGraham216Poor07/20/20224 yrs agoHydroelectric1928
Moss Lake DamCleveland99Poor03/25/20251 yr agoWater Supply1973
Cliffside Inactive Ash Basin #5 Main DamRutherford97Unsatisfactory12/31/20241 yr agoOther1972
Yadkin Narrows Bypass Spillway Control StructureMontgomery88Poor08/20/20251 yr agoHydroelectric1917
Turner Shoals DamPolk87Poor01/23/20242 yrs agoHydroelectric1925
Town of Boone Water Supply DamWatauga77Poor10/02/20242 yrs agoWater Supply1957
Eagles Nest Lake DamTransylvania75Poor12/05/20241 yr agoRecreation1977
Roanoke RapidsNorthampton72Poor03/02/2026this yearHydroelectric1955
Lake Logan DamHaywood62Poor02/14/20242 yrs agoOther1931
Cascade Lake DamTransylvania58Poor12/05/20241 yr agoWater Supply1919
Silver Springs DamJackson58Poor02/25/20251 yr agoRecreation1994
Old Mill Lake DamCaldwell53Unsatisfactory12/08/20223 yrs agoOther
Blanchard Lake Dam #1Harnett50Poor02/14/20242 yrs agoRecreation1943
Ashe Lake DamAshe50Poor10/02/20242 yrs agoRecreation1955
Lipham DamHaywood49Poor03/12/20251 yr agoRecreation1950
Tynecastle DamAvery49Poor04/02/20251 yr agoRecreation1971
Cheoah Valley DamSwain48Poor11/06/20232 yrs agoRecreation1956
Hogback DamJackson43Poor01/27/20251 yr agoRecreation1960
Thunder Lake DamTransylvania42Poor12/05/20241 yr agoRecreation1962
Clouse Lake DamYancey42Unsatisfactory01/22/20251 yr agoRecreation1978
Appalachian Ski Mountain Lake DamWatauga42Poor10/02/20242 yrs agoRecreation1981
Cliffside Inactive Ash Basin #5 Saddle DamRutherford42Unsatisfactory12/31/20241 yr agoOther1972
Pied Piper Dam LowerCherokee41Poor01/03/20242 yrs agoRecreation1975
Mountain Lake DamAlleghany41Poor10/02/20242 yrs agoRecreation1973
Lake Kannapolis DamRowan40Poor08/09/20242 yrs agoWater Supply1940
Stackhouse Dam UpperMadison38Poor02/06/20251 yr agoFish and Wildlife Pond
Henry River DamBurke38Unsatisfactory09/11/20242 yrs agoHydroelectric1902
Blanchard Dam #4Harnett37Poor05/12/20233 yrs agoRecreation
Marion Manufacturing DamMcDowell37Poor03/06/20251 yr agoRecreation
Laurel Lake DamRutherford36Poor01/29/20251 yr agoRecreation2002
Lora Young DamTransylvania36Unsatisfactory03/04/20242 yrs agoRecreation
Camp Daniel Boone Lake DamHaywood36Poor03/01/20233 yrs agoRecreation1951
Pcs Phosphate R-7 Blend DikeBeaufort35Poor02/01/20242 yrs agoTailings2007
Schmehl DamSwain35Poor12/03/20241 yr agoRecreation
Burningtown Lake DamMacon35Unsatisfactory03/25/20251 yr agoRecreation1970
Baker Quarry Lake DamUnion35Poor07/17/20242 yrs agoWater Supply1969
High Lake DamCaldwell35Poor04/09/20251 yr agoWater Supply1920
Lake Junaluska DamHaywood35Poor02/13/20242 yrs agoRecreation1913
Pisgah Forest Farm DamTransylvania35Unsatisfactory02/08/20233 yrs agoRecreation
Shelton Lake DamForsyth34Poor08/13/20242 yrs agoRecreation1955
Old Blowing Rock Water Supply DamWatauga34Poor10/03/20242 yrs agoWater Supply1958
Muddy Creek DamMcDowell34Poor03/06/20251 yr agoFlood Risk Reduction1975
Osage Lake DamMacon33Poor02/25/20251 yr agoRecreation1948
Line Runner Ridge DamTransylvania33Poor01/09/20251 yr agoRecreation
Watson Lake DamLee32Poor01/24/20251 yr agoWater Supply1956
Brooks Lake DamRutherford32Poor01/03/20251 yr agoRecreation1950
Widenhouse DamSwain31Poor01/24/20233 yrs agoRecreation
Hodge DamJackson31Poor03/10/20251 yr agoRecreation
Upper Tanglewood DamCherokee31Poor02/21/20242 yrs agoRecreation1974
Flowers Lake DamCatawba31Poor02/26/20251 yr agoRecreation1973
Moonshine Mountain Rd DamYancey31Unsatisfactory01/22/20251 yr agoRecreation
Phillips DamGraham31Unsatisfactory01/23/20242 yrs agoRecreation
Wilson Creek Lower DamMacon30Poor01/09/201313 yrs agoRecreation
Carpenter Lake DamLincoln30Unsatisfactory04/25/20242 yrs agoRecreation1958
Connelly DamJackson30Unsatisfactory02/28/20251 yr agoRecreation
Al Beshears DamWilkes30Poor10/03/20242 yrs agoRecreation
Tanglewood Forest Dam LowerCherokee30Unsatisfactory02/21/20242 yrs agoRecreation1965
Quail Acres DamMecklenburg30Poor01/09/20251 yr agoRecreation1962
Sky Lake Estate DamHenderson30Poor02/27/20251 yr agoRecreation1935
Fowler Lake Dam #1Forsyth30Poor08/13/20242 yrs agoRecreation
Boy Scouts of America Dam UpperMoore30Poor04/25/20242 yrs agoRecreation1970
Willow Lakes Estates DamRutherford29Poor02/21/20242 yrs agoRecreation
Town of Sylva Water Supply DamJackson29Poor03/10/20251 yr agoWater Supply1973
Trout Lake DamJackson29Poor03/17/20251 yr agoRecreation1952
Creeson Lake DamForsyth29Poor08/13/20242 yrs agoRecreation
Simmons Fields LakeCumberland29Unsatisfactory02/15/20197 yrs agoRecreation1969
Johnny Long Pond DamGaston28Poor02/18/20251 yr agoRecreation1975
Nelson Park DamRutherford27Poor01/03/20251 yr agoRecreation1981
Lake Charles DamMacon27Poor02/28/20251 yr agoRecreation
Cape Fear 1970 Ash Basin DamChatham27Poor05/01/20242 yrs agoFlood Risk Reduction
Martin Lake DamDavidson26Poor02/17/20251 yr agoFish and Wildlife Pond
Spring Valley DamOrange26Poor12/16/20214 yrs agoRecreation1985
Lady Marion DamMcDowell26Poor02/22/20224 yrs agoRecreation
Benfield DamCaldwell26Poor03/26/20251 yr agoFire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond1964
Girl Scout Pond DamCaldwell26Poor04/09/20251 yr agoRecreation
Young's LakeCumberland26Unsatisfactory02/15/20197 yrs agoRecreation1993
Clement DamCaldwell25Poor02/11/20251 yr agoRecreation1961
Holden DamCaldwell25Unsatisfactory11/05/20241 yr agoRecreation
Landis Lake DamRowan25Poor02/27/20251 yr agoWater Supply
Marshall Pond #2 DamWake25Poor02/15/20224 yrs agoRecreation
Mcgarry DamCherokee25Poor04/23/20242 yrs agoFish and Wildlife Pond
Lake Hosea DamHenderson25Poor02/17/20251 yr agoRecreation1958
Tritonia DamMacon25Poor04/21/20251 yr agoRecreation
Hamby DamCherokee25Poor02/12/20242 yrs agoRecreation
Anson County Wwtp Lower Dam (sludge Lagoon)Anson25Unsatisfactory08/25/20224 yrs agoFlood Risk Reduction1970
Cardinal Club Pond DamMoore25Poor11/13/20241 yr agoRecreation1955
Palmisano DamMacon25Poor03/28/20251 yr agoRecreation
New River Lake DamWatauga25Poor10/03/20242 yrs agoRecreation
Hanks DamJackson24Poor02/25/20251 yr agoRecreation
Sunnyside Lake DamRutherford24Poor01/10/20242 yrs agoRecreation1950
Forest Lake DamTransylvania24Unsatisfactory12/19/20241 yr agoRecreation1968
Long Hope Club DamAshe24Poor04/22/20251 yr agoRecreation
Forest Oaks Lake DamGuilford24Poor08/14/20242 yrs agoIrrigation1964
Camp Occoneechee DamRutherford24Poor02/04/20251 yr agoRecreation1927
Ed Wilkins DamRockingham24Poor11/08/20241 yr agoRecreation1987
Browns Lake DamMacon23Poor02/28/20251 yr agoRecreation
Camp Pond DamWake23Poor11/24/20214 yrs agoRecreation
Wildwood Mountain DamMacon23Poor02/25/20251 yr agoRecreation
Lott DamSwain23Poor04/26/201610 yrs agoRecreation1980
Cataloochee Ranch DamHaywood23Poor04/01/20251 yr agoIrrigation
Hideaway Mountain Lake DamCherokee23Poor01/03/20242 yrs agoRecreation
Conrad Lake DamForsyth23Poor01/17/20242 yrs agoRecreation1945
Lake Corriher DamRowan23Poor02/27/20251 yr agoWater Supply1953
Warren DamGaston23Poor10/01/20242 yrs agoRecreation
Woodrow Allen DamMecklenburg23Poor01/14/20251 yr agoFire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond
Mott LakeHoke23Poor02/15/20197 yrs agoRecreation1937
Ross DamMadison22Poor02/13/20251 yr agoRecreation
Coffey DamCaldwell22Poor11/19/20196 yrs agoFish and Wildlife Pond
Barus DamBurke22Poor05/20/201511 yrs agoRecreation
Lewis Faw DamCaldwell22Poor01/24/20242 yrs agoRecreation1984
Ayers Pond DamYancey22Poor03/27/20197 yrs agoRecreation
Paradise Point DamGaston22Poor02/26/20251 yr agoRecreation
Horseshoe Pond DamLincoln22Poor02/18/20251 yr agoRecreation
Scull Lake DamHoke22Poor04/05/20242 yrs agoRecreation
Jones DamCaswell22Poor01/04/20242 yrs agoRecreation
Deyton DamYancey22Poor03/04/20251 yr agoFish and Wildlife Pond1950
Warrior Mountain DamPolk22Poor02/06/20251 yr agoRecreation
Kildaire Farms DamWake22Poor03/22/20233 yrs agoRecreation1985
Cape Fear 1963 Ash Basin DamChatham22Poor05/01/20242 yrs agoFlood Risk Reduction
Boykin Lake DamSampson22Poor04/29/20242 yrs agoRecreation
Charles Harris DamAshe22Unsatisfactory04/22/20251 yr agoFish and Wildlife Pond1950
Sapphire Valley Golf Course DamJackson22Unsatisfactory02/22/20242 yrs agoRecreation
Lake LindsayHarnett22Poor02/15/20197 yrs agoRecreation1935
Phoenix Pond DamYancey21Poor03/04/20251 yr agoRecreation
Price Pond DamHoke21Poor03/22/20242 yrs agoRecreation
Miry Branch DamJohnston21Poor02/17/20251 yr agoFlood Risk Reduction
Lake Charles DamCumberland21Poor01/05/20233 yrs agoWater Supply1964
Cy Purser Pond DamAlexander21Poor01/16/20251 yr agoRecreation
Blanchard Lake Dam #2Harnett21Poor02/14/20242 yrs agoRecreation1953
Glossons Lake Dam #2Davidson21Poor08/13/20242 yrs agoFire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond
Thagards Lake DamMoore21Poor03/26/20242 yrs agoRecreation1964
White Oak Mtn. Dam #2Polk21Poor02/04/20251 yr agoRecreation
Mcarthur LakeHoke21Poor02/15/20197 yrs agoRecreation1935
Woodview Lake Dam LowerForsyth21Poor08/13/20242 yrs agoRecreation
Pinehurst National Golf Course Dam #1Moore21Poor02/16/20242 yrs agoRecreation1989
Crabtree Lake DamRutherford20Unsatisfactory02/07/20242 yrs agoOther
Pine Shore DamTransylvania20Poor03/15/20233 yrs agoRecreation
Roth DamGuilford20Poor08/13/20242 yrs agoRecreation
Capps Pond DamBuncombe20Poor03/09/20179 yrs agoRecreation
Welborn DamGuilford20Poor01/30/20242 yrs agoIrrigation
Eden Lake DamDurham20Poor03/05/20215 yrs agoRecreation1958
Hoffner Lake DamDavie20Poor08/13/20242 yrs agoIrrigation
Lake Glenwood DamPitt20Unsatisfactory01/16/20251 yr agoRecreation1966
Boland Pond DamHaywood20Poor04/01/20251 yr agoRecreation
Siniard Upper Pond DamTransylvania20Unsatisfactory12/19/20241 yr agoRecreation
Ballentine Farms Pond DamWake20Poor12/16/20223 yrs agoRecreation
Old Tryon Water Suppy DamPolk20Poor03/28/20233 yrs agoWater Supply
Siler City Water Supply DamChatham20Poor01/15/20251 yr agoRecreation1953
Lewis DamWake20Unsatisfactory07/25/20242 yrs agoRecreation
Anson County Wwtp Upper Dam (sludge Lagoon)Anson20Unsatisfactory08/25/20224 yrs agoFlood Risk Reduction1970
Belmont Lake DamNash20Poor09/10/20242 yrs agoRecreation1973
Robin Lake Estates Dam aWayne20Poor03/26/20251 yr agoRecreation
Big Muddy LakeScotland20Poor02/15/20197 yrs agoRecreation1937
Wolf Lake DamJackson19Poor03/04/20251 yr agoRecreation
Beard Lake DamRandolph19Unsatisfactory03/20/20251 yr agoRecreation1965
Chicken Springs DamRowan19Unsatisfactory01/28/20251 yr agoRecreation
Fox Lake DamFranklin19Poor02/22/20233 yrs agoOther
Frischholz DamSwain19Poor04/26/201610 yrs agoRecreation
Franklinton Reservoir #2 DamFranklin19Poor02/22/20233 yrs agoWater Supply1900
6301 Grasshopper Road DamWake19Poor04/23/20242 yrs agoRecreation
Blowing Rock Country Club DamWatauga19Poor10/03/20242 yrs agoRecreation1990
Lunsford DamCaswell18Poor02/11/20251 yr agoFire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond
Salter DamTransylvania18Poor12/19/20241 yr agoRecreation
Lewis DamTransylvania18Poor12/13/20232 yrs agoRecreation
Fisher Pond DamMacon18Poor02/25/20251 yr agoRecreation
Bibey Pond Dam #1Moore18Poor03/14/20251 yr agoIrrigation
Brewer Lake DamUnion18Unsatisfactory02/18/20251 yr agoRecreation1958
Mcneil Lake DamMoore18Poor06/20/20242 yrs agoRecreation
Weston #1 DamWake18Poor03/05/20242 yrs agoIrrigation
Hinson Pond DamStanly18Poor01/26/20251 yr agoFire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond
Blanchard Lake Dam #3Harnett18Poor02/14/20242 yrs agoRecreation1953
Melva Brook Pond Lower DamSampson18Poor04/29/20242 yrs agoRecreation
Friendly Lake DamGuilford18Poor08/12/20242 yrs agoRecreation1959
Hideaway Bay DamMecklenburg18Poor03/04/20251 yr agoRecreation
Old Crescent Lake DamWayne17Unsatisfactory12/19/20196 yrs agoRecreation
Fakhoury DamMadison17Poor01/27/20251 yr agoRecreation
Gimlin DamAshe17Poor10/03/20242 yrs agoRecreation
Grasshopper Road DamWake17Poor04/23/20242 yrs agoOther
Sherman Lakes Lower DamHarnett17Unsatisfactory04/03/20251 yr agoRecreation
Frady DamHenderson17Poor03/10/20251 yr agoRecreation
Jerry Clinard Lake DamDavidson17Poor03/12/20251 yr agoFire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond
Moose Pond DamCaldwell17Poor03/28/20251 yr agoRecreation
Emerald Lake Golf Course DamUnion17Poor01/16/20251 yr agoRecreation1968
Maple Lane Fish Pond DamBurke17Poor12/19/20232 yrs agoRecreation
Cogdell Pond DamWayne16Unsatisfactory12/19/20196 yrs agoFlood Risk Reduction
Harnett Metals DamHarnett16Poor02/27/20251 yr agoRecreation
Happy Valley Pond DamBladen16Poor02/28/20242 yrs agoRecreation
Peacock DamWake16Poor02/10/20233 yrs agoRecreation
Pringle DamGuilford16Poor02/01/20242 yrs agoRecreation
Wall Lake DamRichmond15Poor04/26/20242 yrs agoRecreation1913
Coffey Pond DamBurke15Poor12/14/20169 yrs agoRecreation
Brooks Pond DamWake15Poor02/17/20251 yr agoRecreation
Panther Lake DamWake15Poor01/08/20242 yrs agoRecreation1920
Weston #2 DamWake15Poor03/05/20242 yrs agoIrrigation
Fishers Lake DamHaywood15Unsatisfactory04/03/20251 yr agoRecreation1920
Simpson Lake DamMoore15Poor11/26/20241 yr agoIrrigation1953
Strickland Bridge DamCumberland15Poor03/12/20242 yrs agoFish and Wildlife Pond
Longleaf Golf Course DamMoore15Poor11/13/20241 yr agoIrrigation
Richardson Lake DamRandolph15Unsatisfactory08/13/20242 yrs agoRecreation1951
Club Lake DamMacon15Poor12/20/20241 yr agoRecreation
Little Muddy LakeScotland15Poor02/15/20197 yrs agoRecreation1937
Hardin DamHaywood14Poor03/18/20251 yr agoRecreation
Crimmins DamSwain14Poor01/30/201511 yrs agoRecreation
Mcfayden LakeCumberland14Unsatisfactory02/15/20197 yrs agoRecreation1970
Woodhall DamUnion13Poor02/18/20251 yr agoRecreation2000
Lupo Lake DamHoke13Poor04/05/20242 yrs agoRecreation
Rick Howell Lake DamIredell13Poor04/09/20251 yr agoOther
Hutaff LakeCumberland13Unsatisfactory02/15/20197 yrs agoRecreation1971
Sherman Lakes Upper DamHarnett12Unsatisfactory04/03/20251 yr agoRecreation
Family Worship Center Lake DamScotland12Poor04/10/20242 yrs agoRecreation
North Ridge Country Club Hole #13 DamWake12Poor02/15/20224 yrs agoOther
Mckellars Lake (upper)Cumberland12Unsatisfactory02/15/20197 yrs agoRecreation1972
Texas PondCumberland10Poor02/15/20197 yrs agoRecreation1963
Chamblee Road DamWake9Poor03/26/20242 yrs agoOther
Cultural Center Lake DamRobeson9Poor02/07/20242 yrs agoRecreation1965
Cade DamPolk0Poor02/11/20251 yr agoOther
Drexel Farm DamWake0Poor01/27/20251 yr agoOther
Woodpecker Lane DamPolk0Poor02/12/20251 yr agoOther
Allen Park Dam LowerWake0Unsatisfactory01/03/20242 yrs agoOther
Allen Park Dam UpperWake0Poor01/03/20242 yrs agoOther
Flores DamWake0Poor12/31/20241 yr agoRecreation
Haithcock Heirs DamOrange0Poor02/21/20224 yrs agoRecreation
Ray-mcgilvary DamLee0Poor12/13/20223 yrs agoOther
Ayers Upper DamYancey0Poor03/04/20251 yr agoOther
Devore DamMecklenburg0Poor08/09/20242 yrs agoOther
Devore Dam #2Mecklenburg0Poor02/26/20251 yr agoOther
Devore Dam #1Mecklenburg0Poor09/12/20242 yrs agoOther
Eddie Bateman Dr. DamMacon0Poor02/28/20251 yr agoRecreation
Hamilton Pond DamJohnston0Poor03/26/20251 yr agoIrrigation1940
Coweeta Lake DamMacon0Poor02/21/20251 yr agoOther
Horton's Pond DamChatham0Poor03/06/20233 yrs agoOther
Wells Brothers Upper DamJohnston0Poor02/05/20251 yr agoOther
River Road DamMontgomery0Poor12/08/20232 yrs agoRecreation
Pine Knoll DamWake0Poor05/12/20251 yr agoRecreation
Trimont Trail DamMacon0Poor03/06/20251 yr agoOther

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