Thompson Lake Dam

Glade Creek· Alleghany, North Carolina· Built 1953· Earth·
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Thompson Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in North Carolina. It was completed in 1953 and is 73 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Length300 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage67 acre-ft
Normal Storage56 acre-ft
Surface Area6 acres
Drainage Area461 sq mi
Max Discharge149 cfs
Year Completed1953 (73 years old)
NID IDNC00245

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 17, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NCDEQ, DEMLR, Dam Safety Program

Ownership

Jerry H Laws

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Thompson Lake Dam?

Thompson 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 Thompson Lake Dam?

Thompson Lake Dam is owned by Jerry H Laws (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Thompson Lake Dam built?

Thompson Lake Dam was completed in 1953, making it 73 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 Thompson Lake Dam?

Thompson 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 Thompson Lake Dam last inspected?

Thompson Lake Dam was last inspected on January 17, 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.