Appalachian Ski Mountain Lake Dam

Payne Branch· Watauga, North Carolina· Built 1981· Earth·
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Appalachian Ski Mountain Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in North Carolina. It was completed in 1981 and is 45 years old. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Length160 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage24 acre-ft
Normal Storage19 acre-ft
Surface Area1 acres
Drainage Area90 sq mi
Max Discharge528 cfs
Year Completed1981 (45 years old)
NID IDNC01228

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: April 27, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NCDEQ, DEMLR, Dam Safety Program

Ownership

Appalachian Ski Mountain, Inc.

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Appalachian Ski Mountain Lake Dam?

Appalachian Ski Mountain Lake Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Appalachian Ski Mountain Lake Dam?

Appalachian Ski Mountain Lake Dam is owned by Appalachian Ski Mountain, Inc. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Appalachian Ski Mountain Lake Dam built?

Appalachian Ski Mountain Lake Dam was completed in 1981, making it 45 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Appalachian Ski Mountain Lake Dam?

Appalachian Ski Mountain Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

When was Appalachian Ski Mountain Lake Dam last inspected?

Appalachian Ski Mountain Lake Dam was last inspected on April 27, 2021. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.