Wells Lake Dam Upper

Cane Creek· Cherokee, North Carolina· Earth·
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Wells Lake Dam Upper is classified as low hazard in North Carolina. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Length210 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage400 acre-ft
Normal Storage275 acre-ft
Surface Area20 acres
Max Discharge300 cfs
NID IDNC01266

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: February 21, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NCDEQ, DEMLR, Dam Safety Program

Ownership

Wells Lake Estates POA, Inc.

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Wells Lake Dam Upper?

Wells Lake Dam Upper 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 Wells Lake Dam Upper?

Wells Lake Dam Upper is owned by Wells Lake Estates POA, Inc. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Wells Lake Dam Upper?

Wells Lake Dam Upper 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 Wells Lake Dam Upper last inspected?

Wells Lake Dam Upper was last inspected on February 21, 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.