Potato Hill Lake Dam

Howards Creek· Watauga, North Carolina· Built 1948· Earth·
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Potato Hill Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in North Carolina. It was completed in 1948 and is 78 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Length200 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage52 acre-ft
Normal Storage43 acre-ft
Surface Area9 acres
Year Completed1948 (78 years old)
NID IDNC00413

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 2, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NCDEQ, DEMLR, Dam Safety Program

Ownership

State of North Carolina, State Property Office

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Potato Hill Lake Dam?

Potato Hill 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 Potato Hill Lake Dam?

Potato Hill Lake Dam is owned by State of North Carolina, State Property Office (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Potato Hill Lake Dam built?

Potato Hill Lake Dam was completed in 1948, making it 78 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 Potato Hill Lake Dam?

Potato Hill 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 Potato Hill Lake Dam last inspected?

Potato Hill Lake Dam was last inspected on February 2, 2022. 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.