Rowan County Wildlife Lake Dam

Graft Branch· Rowan, North Carolina· Built 1965· Earth·
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Rowan County Wildlife Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in North Carolina. It was completed in 1965 and is 61 years old. 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 Length380 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage72 acre-ft
Normal Storage60 acre-ft
Surface Area9 acres
Drainage Area662 sq mi
Max Discharge264 cfs
Year Completed1965 (61 years old)
NID IDNC00322

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: March 30, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NCDEQ, DEMLR, Dam Safety Program

Ownership

Rowan County Wildlife Association, Inc.

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Rowan County Wildlife Lake Dam?

Rowan County Wildlife 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 Rowan County Wildlife Lake Dam?

Rowan County Wildlife Lake Dam is owned by Rowan County Wildlife Association, Inc. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Rowan County Wildlife Lake Dam built?

Rowan County Wildlife Lake Dam was completed in 1965, making it 61 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 Rowan County Wildlife Lake Dam?

Rowan County Wildlife 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 Rowan County Wildlife Lake Dam last inspected?

Rowan County Wildlife Lake Dam was last inspected on March 30, 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.