Left Whitesell Lake Dam

Buffalo Creek· Guilford, North Carolina· Built 1971· Earth·

Key Takeaway

Left Whitesell Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in North Carolina. It was completed in 1971 and is 55 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Length720 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.5K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.3K acre-ft
Surface Area5 acres
Max Discharge248 cfs
Year Completed1971 (55 years old)
NID IDNC00673

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

Ownership

Cabell Early

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Left Whitesell Lake Dam?

Left Whitesell 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 Left Whitesell Lake Dam?

Left Whitesell Lake Dam is owned by Cabell Early (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Left Whitesell Lake Dam built?

Left Whitesell Lake Dam was completed in 1971, making it 55 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 Left Whitesell Lake Dam?

Left Whitesell Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

When was Left Whitesell Lake Dam last inspected?

Left Whitesell Lake 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.