Heron'S Nest Dam

Haw River· Guilford, North Carolina· Built 1955· Earth·
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Heron'S Nest Dam is classified as high hazard in North Carolina. It was completed in 1955 and is 71 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 Storage96 acre-ft
Normal Storage72 acre-ft
Surface Area12 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge165 cfs
Year Completed1955 (71 years old)
NID IDNC00677

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: No
Last Inspection: March 10, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NCDEQ, DEMLR, Dam Safety Program

Ownership

Heron's Nest Homeowners Association, Inc.

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Heron'S Nest Dam?

Heron'S Nest 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 Heron'S Nest Dam?

Heron'S Nest Dam is owned by Heron's Nest Homeowners Association, Inc. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Heron'S Nest Dam built?

Heron'S Nest Dam was completed in 1955, making it 71 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 Heron'S Nest Dam?

Heron'S Nest 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 Heron'S Nest Dam last inspected?

Heron'S Nest Dam was last inspected on March 10, 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.