Umstead Park Lake Dam #1

Sycamore Creek· Wake, North Carolina· Built 1940· Earth·
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Umstead Park Lake Dam #1 is classified as low hazard in North Carolina. It was completed in 1940 and is 86 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Length410 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage432 acre-ft
Normal Storage360 acre-ft
Surface Area25 acres
Drainage Area4,550 sq mi
Max Discharge165 cfs
Year Completed1940 (86 years old)
NID IDNC00881

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: December 28, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NCDEQ, DEMLR, Dam Safety Program

Ownership

NC Department of Parks and Recreation

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Umstead Park Lake Dam #1?

Umstead Park Lake Dam #1 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 Umstead Park Lake Dam #1?

Umstead Park Lake Dam #1 is owned by NC Department of Parks and Recreation (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Umstead Park Lake Dam #1 built?

Umstead Park Lake Dam #1 was completed in 1940, making it 86 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 Umstead Park Lake Dam #1?

Umstead Park Lake Dam #1 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 Umstead Park Lake Dam #1 last inspected?

Umstead Park Lake Dam #1 was last inspected on December 28, 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.