Cape Fear River Lock and Dam 1

CAPE FEAR RIVER· Bladen, North Carolina· Built 1915· Concrete·
Low Hazard Navigation Recreation Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Cape Fear River Lock and Dam 1 is classified as low hazard in North Carolina. It was completed in 1915 and is 111 years old. Its primary use is navigation.

Physical Details

Dam Length375 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage20.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage20.0K acre-ft
Surface Area1,400 acres
Drainage Area5,255 sq mi
Max Discharge62,000 cfs
Year Completed1915 (111 years old)
NID IDNC00182

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: March 10, 2020
State Regulated: No

Ownership

USACE - Wilmington District

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Cape Fear River Lock and Dam 1?

Cape Fear River Lock and Dam 1 is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Cape Fear River Lock and Dam 1?

Cape Fear River Lock and Dam 1 is owned by USACE - Wilmington District (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Cape Fear River Lock and Dam 1 built?

Cape Fear River Lock and Dam 1 was completed in 1915, making it 111 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 Cape Fear River Lock and Dam 1?

Cape Fear River Lock and Dam 1 serves the following purposes: Navigation, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

When was Cape Fear River Lock and Dam 1 last inspected?

Cape Fear River Lock and Dam 1 was last inspected on March 10, 2020. 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.