Sutton 1972 Cooling Lake Dam

Cape Fear River· New Hanover, North Carolina· Built 1972· Earth·
Low Hazard Other Recreation Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Sutton 1972 Cooling Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in North Carolina. It was completed in 1972 and is 54 years old. Its primary use is other.

Physical Details

Dam Length20,100 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage6.9K acre-ft
Normal Storage0 acre-ft
Surface Area1,185 acres
Year Completed1972 (54 years old)
NID IDNC05949

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: Yes
Last Inspection: September 6, 2019
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Duke Energy Corporation

Public Utility

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Sutton 1972 Cooling Lake Dam?

Sutton 1972 Cooling 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 Sutton 1972 Cooling Lake Dam?

Sutton 1972 Cooling Lake Dam is owned by Duke Energy Corporation (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Sutton 1972 Cooling Lake Dam built?

Sutton 1972 Cooling Lake Dam was completed in 1972, making it 54 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 Sutton 1972 Cooling Lake Dam?

Sutton 1972 Cooling Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Other, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

When was Sutton 1972 Cooling Lake Dam last inspected?

Sutton 1972 Cooling Lake Dam was last inspected on September 6, 2019. 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.