Clearwater Lake Dam At Runaway Bay

McAlpine Creek· Mecklenburg, North Carolina· Built 1984· Earth·
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Clearwater Lake Dam At Runaway Bay is classified as high hazard in North Carolina. It was completed in 1984 and is 42 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 Length400 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage25 acre-ft
Normal Storage15 acre-ft
Surface Area3 acres
Drainage Area480 sq mi
Max Discharge20 cfs
Year Completed1984 (42 years old)
Year Modified2001
NID IDNC03462

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 12, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NCDEQ, DEMLR, Dam Safety Program

Ownership

Runaway Bay Propery Holdings LLC

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Clearwater Lake Dam At Runaway Bay?

Clearwater Lake Dam At Runaway Bay 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 Clearwater Lake Dam At Runaway Bay?

Clearwater Lake Dam At Runaway Bay is owned by Runaway Bay Propery Holdings LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Clearwater Lake Dam At Runaway Bay built?

Clearwater Lake Dam At Runaway Bay was completed in 1984, making it 42 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 Clearwater Lake Dam At Runaway Bay?

Clearwater Lake Dam At Runaway Bay 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 Clearwater Lake Dam At Runaway Bay last inspected?

Clearwater Lake Dam At Runaway Bay was last inspected on April 12, 2023. 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.