Map of All 3,642 North Carolina Dams
North Carolina has 3,642 dams in the National Inventory of Dams — and 1,652 are classified as high hazard (45% of the state’s total), meaning failure would likely cause loss of life. 236 North Carolina dams are both high-hazard and in poor or unsatisfactory condition.
Use the interactive North Carolina dams map below to explore every dam in the state, color-coded by hazard level. Click any dam for its condition assessment, last inspection date, and Emergency Action Plan status. Or view the full US Dams interactive map to compare North Carolina to every other state.
Hazard
Condition
Purpose
North Carolina Dams by the Numbers
- 3,642 total dams in North Carolina
- 1,652 high hazard — failure would likely cause loss of life
- 649 significant hazard
- 1,341 low hazard
- 382 in poor or unsatisfactory condition (317 poor, 65 unsatisfactory)
- 236 North Carolina dams are both high-hazard AND in poor/unsatisfactory condition
Data source: US Army Corps of Engineers, National Inventory of Dams (NID).
The Tallest Dams in North Carolina
The tallest dam in North Carolina is Fontana Dam at 480 feet, completed in 1944. The 10 tallest North Carolina dams from the National Inventory of Dams:
| Dam | Height | Year | Primary Purpose | Condition | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fontana Dam | 480 ft | 1944 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Graham |
| Hiwassee Dam | 307 ft | 1940 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Cherokee |
| Nantahala | 250 ft | 1942 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | Macon |
| Cheoah | 236 ft | 1919 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | Graham |
| Santeetlah | 216 ft | 1928 | Hydroelectric | Poor | Graham |
| Bear Creek | 215 ft | 1954 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | Jackson |
| Yadkin Narrows | 214 ft | 1917 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | Stanly |
| Walters | 208 ft | 1929 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | Haywood |
| Bee Tree Lake Dam | 182 ft | 1927 | Water Supply | Satisfactory | Buncombe |
| Wolf Creek | 178 ft | 1955 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | Jackson |
High-Hazard North Carolina Dams in Poor Condition
The most concerning dams are those classified as high-hazard that also carry a Poor or Unsatisfactory condition rating — 236 dams in North Carolina. Notable examples:
- Santeetlah (216 ft, Graham County) — Hydroelectric, Poor condition
- Moss Lake Dam (99 ft, Cleveland County) — Water Supply, Poor condition
- Gaston (99 ft, Northampton County) — Hydroelectric, Poor condition
- Cliffside Inactive Ash Basin #5 Main Dam (97 ft, Rutherford County) — Other, Unsatisfactory condition
- Yadkin Narrows Bypass Spillway Control Structure (88 ft, Montgomery County) — Hydroelectric, Poor condition
Filter the interactive US Dams map by hazard and condition to see all of them on one view.
Dam Safety in North Carolina
Dam safety in North Carolina is overseen by the state dam safety program, in coordination with federal regulators: the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation (for federal water projects), the Tennessee Valley Authority where applicable, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for licensed hydropower dams. Emergency Action Plans are typically required for high-hazard dams under state regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dams are in North Carolina?
North Carolina has 3,642 dams in the National Inventory of Dams tracked by the US Army Corps of Engineers: 1,652 high hazard, 649 significant hazard, and 1,341 low hazard.
What is the tallest dam in North Carolina?
The tallest dam in North Carolina is Fontana Dam at 480 feet, completed in 1944. It is primarily a flood risk reduction structure.
How many North Carolina dams are in poor condition?
382 North Carolina dams are currently rated as being in Poor or Unsatisfactory condition. Of those, 236 are also classified as high-hazard — meaning failure would likely cause loss of life.
