Lake Carolina Dam

Reedy Swamp· Harnett, North Carolina· Built 1965· Earth·
High Hazard Irrigation Other Recreation Water Supply Private

Key Takeaway

Lake Carolina Dam is classified as high hazard in North Carolina. It was completed in 1965 and is 61 years old. Its primary use is irrigation. 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 Length1,200 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.9K acre-ft
Surface Area90 acres
Max Discharge166 cfs
Year Completed1965 (61 years old)
NID IDNC00012

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: February 23, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NCDEQ, DEMLR, Dam Safety Program

Ownership

Carolina Lakes Property Owners Association

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Carolina Dam?

Lake Carolina 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 Carolina Dam?

Lake Carolina Dam is owned by Carolina Lakes Property Owners Association (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Carolina Dam built?

Lake Carolina Dam was completed in 1965, making it 61 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 Carolina Dam?

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

When was Lake Carolina Dam last inspected?

Lake Carolina Dam was last inspected on February 23, 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.