Friendly Lake Dam

Horsepen Creek-Tr· Guilford, North Carolina· Built 1959· Earth·

Key Takeaway

Friendly Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in North Carolina. It was completed in 1959 and is 67 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 Length300 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage58 acre-ft
Normal Storage41 acre-ft
Surface Area8 acres
Drainage Area180 sq mi
Max Discharge248 cfs
Year Completed1959 (67 years old)
Year Modified2018
NID IDNC00593

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: March 1, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NCDEQ, DEMLR, Dam Safety Program

Ownership

Lakemont Park, Incorporated

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Friendly Lake Dam?

Friendly 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 Friendly Lake Dam?

Friendly Lake Dam is owned by Lakemont Park, Incorporated (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Friendly Lake Dam built?

Friendly Lake Dam was completed in 1959, making it 67 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 Friendly Lake Dam?

Friendly Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation, Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

When was Friendly Lake Dam last inspected?

Friendly Lake Dam was last inspected on March 1, 2022. 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.