Richardson Lake Dam

Gapway Swamp· Columbus, North Carolina· Built 1955· Earth·
Low Hazard Irrigation Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Richardson Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in North Carolina. It was completed in 1955 and is 71 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Length386 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage288 acre-ft
Normal Storage240 acre-ft
Max Discharge53 cfs
Year Completed1955 (71 years old)
NID IDNC01194

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 8, 2009
State Regulated: No

Ownership

J.P. Jones Enterprises, LLC

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Richardson Lake Dam?

Richardson 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 Richardson Lake Dam?

Richardson Lake Dam is owned by J.P. Jones Enterprises, LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Richardson Lake Dam built?

Richardson Lake Dam was completed in 1955, making it 71 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 Richardson Lake Dam?

Richardson Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Irrigation, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

When was Richardson Lake Dam last inspected?

Richardson Lake Dam was last inspected on January 8, 2009. 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.