Laurel Lake Dam

Rye Swamp· Sampson, North Carolina· Built 1947· Earth·
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Laurel Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in North Carolina. It was completed in 1947 and is 79 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Length453 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage50 acre-ft
Normal Storage42 acre-ft
Surface Area20 acres
Drainage Area3,328 sq mi
Max Discharge330 cfs
Year Completed1947 (79 years old)
NID IDNC01083

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: February 15, 2008
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NCDEQ, DEMLR, Dam Safety Program

Ownership

William & Mary Rauss

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Laurel Lake Dam?

Laurel Lake Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Laurel Lake Dam?

Laurel Lake Dam is owned by William & Mary Rauss (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Laurel Lake Dam built?

Laurel Lake Dam was completed in 1947, making it 79 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 Laurel Lake Dam?

Laurel Lake 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 Laurel Lake Dam last inspected?

Laurel Lake Dam was last inspected on February 15, 2008. 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.