Lake Junaluska Dam

Richland Creek· Haywood, North Carolina· Built 1913· Earth·
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Lake Junaluska Dam is classified as high hazard in North Carolina. It was completed in 1913 and is 113 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 Length725 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage7.7K acre-ft
Normal Storage6.8K acre-ft
Surface Area195 acres
Drainage Area40,603 sq mi
Max Discharge9,245 cfs
Year Completed1913 (113 years old)
Year Modified2004
NID IDNC00187

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

Lake Junaluska Assembly, Inc.

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Junaluska Dam?

Lake Junaluska 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 Junaluska Dam?

Lake Junaluska Dam is owned by Lake Junaluska Assembly, Inc. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Junaluska Dam built?

Lake Junaluska Dam was completed in 1913, making it 113 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 Junaluska Dam?

Lake Junaluska 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 Lake Junaluska Dam last inspected?

Lake Junaluska Dam 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.