Wood Lake Dam

Polecat Creek· Guilford, North Carolina· Built 1930· Concrete·
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Wood Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in North Carolina. It was completed in 1930 and is 96 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 Length328 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage90 acre-ft
Normal Storage84 acre-ft
Surface Area12 acres
Drainage Area800 sq mi
Max Discharge83 cfs
Year Completed1930 (96 years old)
NID IDNC00604

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: February 24, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NCDEQ, DEMLR, Dam Safety Program

Ownership

YES Woodlake, LLC

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Wood Lake Dam?

Wood 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 Wood Lake Dam?

Wood Lake Dam is owned by YES Woodlake, LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Wood Lake Dam built?

Wood Lake Dam was completed in 1930, making it 96 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 Wood Lake Dam?

Wood 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 Wood Lake Dam last inspected?

Wood Lake Dam was last inspected on February 24, 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.