New River Lake Dam

Middle Fork Creek· Watauga, North Carolina· Earth·
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

New River Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in North Carolina. 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 Length229 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage35 acre-ft
Normal Storage20 acre-ft
Surface Area4 acres
Drainage Area640 sq mi
Max Discharge1,341 cfs
NID IDNC04656

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: June 17, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NCDEQ, DEMLR, Dam Safety Program

Ownership

Robert A Collier

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of New River Lake Dam?

New River Lake 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 New River Lake Dam?

New River Lake Dam is owned by Robert A Collier (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of New River Lake Dam?

New River 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 New River Lake Dam last inspected?

New River Lake Dam was last inspected on June 17, 2021. 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.