Nicholas Lake Dam

Persimmon Creek· Rowan, North Carolina· Built 1969· Earth·
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Nicholas Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in North Carolina. It was completed in 1969 and is 57 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Length595 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage110 acre-ft
Normal Storage92 acre-ft
Surface Area9 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge66 cfs
Year Completed1969 (57 years old)
NID IDNC00385

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: January 26, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NCDEQ, DEMLR, Dam Safety Program

Ownership

Rowan County

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Nicholas Lake Dam?

Nicholas 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 Nicholas Lake Dam?

Nicholas Lake Dam is owned by Rowan County (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Nicholas Lake Dam built?

Nicholas Lake Dam was completed in 1969, making it 57 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 Nicholas Lake Dam?

Nicholas 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 Nicholas Lake Dam last inspected?

Nicholas Lake Dam was last inspected on January 26, 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.