Dams in Orange County, North Carolina
37Total Dams
21High Hazard
5Significant
Dam Safety in Orange County, North Carolina
Orange County has 37 dams tracked in the National Inventory of Dams. Of these, 21 are classified as high hazard — meaning failure would probably cause loss of human life. Another 5 carry a significant hazard classification. Currently, 2 dams have a condition assessment of poor or unsatisfactory.
The average dam in Orange County is 57 years old. The most common purpose is recreation. The tallest dam is Cane Creek Resevoir Dam at 72 ft.
Explore more: Oldest dams in North Carolina · Tallest dams · High risk dams · Largest reservoirs
| Dam | Hazard | Condition | Height (ft) | Purpose | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cane Creek Resevoir Dam | High | Satisfactory | 72 | Water Supply | 1989 |
| Hillsborough Water Supply Dam | High | Satisfactory | 65 | Water Supply | 2000 |
| Lake Orange Dam | High | Satisfactory | 40 | Water Supply | 1969 |
| University Lake Dam | High | Satisfactory | 39 | Water Supply | 1932 |
| Lake Michael Dam | High | Fair | 35 | Water Supply | 1952 |
| Lake Ellen Dam | High | Fair | 30 | Recreation | |
| Spring Valley Dam | High | Poor | 26 | Recreation | 1985 |
| Colony Lake Dam | High | Fair | 26 | Recreation | 1988 |
| Randy Fox Dam | High | Satisfactory | 25 | Recreation | 2006 |
| Strayhorn Dam #2 | High | Fair | 24 | Recreation | |
| Eastwood Lake Dam | High | Fair | 19 | Recreation | 1937 |
| Flint Ridge Dam | High | Fair | 19 | Flood Risk Reduction | 1990 |
| Meadowlands Dam | High | Fair | 18 | Flood Risk Reduction | |
| Hogan Farms Dam | High | Fair | 18 | Recreation | 1929 |
| Blackburn Lake Dam | High | Fair | 17 | Recreation | 1952 |
| Strayhorn Farm Dam | High | Fair | 17 | Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond | |
| Occoneechee Lower Dam | High | Fair | 12 | Recreation | |
| Wilkins Dam | High | Fair | 0 | Recreation | |
| Haithcock Heirs Dam | High | Poor | 0 | Recreation | |
| Hines Pond Dam | High | Fair | 0 | Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond | |
| Occoneechee Upper Dam | High | Satisfactory | 0 | Recreation | |
| Jackson Pond Dam | Significant | Fair | 20 | Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond | |
| Johnson Lake Dam | Significant | 15 | Other | 1955 | |
| Carrboro Park Dam | Significant | Fair | 12 | Recreation | 1981 |
| Dobson Dam | Significant | Satisfactory | 0 | Recreation | |
| Erwin Road Pond Dam | Significant | 0 | Other | ||
| Piedmont Minerals Lake Dam | Low | 50 | Tailings | ||
| Fox Lake Dam | Low | Fair | 26 | Irrigation | 1980 |
| Smith Lake Dam | Low | Fair | 25 | Recreation | 1961 |
| Caldmont Lake Dam | Low | 23 | Recreation | 1963 | |
| Ashley Lake Dam | Low | 22 | Recreation | 1973 | |
| Arrowhead Lake Dam | Low | 20 | Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond | 1961 | |
| Orange-alamance Lake Dam | Low | Satisfactory | 20 | Other | 1968 |
| Fellowship Lake Dam | Low | 19 | Recreation | 1960 | |
| Blackwood Lake Dam | Low | 18 | Recreation | 1960 | |
| Clearwater Lake Dam | Low | 17 | Recreation | ||
| Stone Pond Dam | Low | 15 | Other | 1974 |