Lake Brandt Dam

Reedy Fork· Guilford, North Carolina· Built 1960· Earth·
High Hazard Recreation Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Brandt Dam is classified as high hazard in North Carolina. It was completed in 1960 and is 66 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 Length2,555 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage18.4K acre-ft
Normal Storage10.1K acre-ft
Surface Area817 acres
Drainage Area43,776 sq mi
Max Discharge38,600 cfs
Year Completed1960 (66 years old)
NID IDNC00700

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 3, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NCDEQ, DEMLR, Dam Safety Program

Ownership

City of Greensboro

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Brandt Dam?

Lake Brandt 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 Lake Brandt Dam?

Lake Brandt Dam is owned by City of Greensboro (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Brandt Dam built?

Lake Brandt Dam was completed in 1960, making it 66 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 Lake Brandt Dam?

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

When was Lake Brandt Dam last inspected?

Lake Brandt Dam was last inspected on March 3, 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.