Orton Lake Dam

Orton Creek· Brunswick, North Carolina· Built 1700· Earth·
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Orton Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in North Carolina. It was completed in 1700 and is 326 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Length600 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.9K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.4K acre-ft
Max Discharge17 cfs
Year Completed1700 (326 years old)
NID IDNC01112

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 25, 2015
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Orton Camp LLC

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Orton Lake Dam?

Orton 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 Orton Lake Dam?

Orton Lake Dam is owned by Orton Camp LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Orton Lake Dam built?

Orton Lake Dam was completed in 1700, making it 326 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 Orton Lake Dam?

Orton 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 Orton Lake Dam last inspected?

Orton Lake Dam was last inspected on February 25, 2015. 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.