Dams in North Carolina – Key Stats and Maps (2025)

Key Statistics and Overview

• North Carolina has over 7,000 dams, serving water supply, hydroelectric power, flood control, and recreation.
• Major dams include Fontana Dam, High Rock Lake Dam, and Hiwassee Dam.
• Recreational activities like fishing, boating, hiking, and birdwatching are available at many dam sites.
• Climate and rainfall impact dam levels, with hurricanes and droughts playing a key role.
• Dam safety is crucial, with regular inspections and oversight from state and federal agencies.
• Notable dam removals have taken place over the last two decades.
• Interactive tools and government sites with maps, and real-time dam-level updates help the public stay informed.

Introduction

North Carolina is home to an extensive network of dams that regulate water flow, generate power, and provide recreational opportunities. This guide explores the largest, most important, and historically significant dams, along with real-time dam levels, safety regulations, and major failures in the state’s history.

The most important and significant dams in North Carolina are:

• Apalachia Dam
• B. Everett Jordan Dam
• Cheoah Dam
• Cowans Ford Dam
• Falls Lake Dam
  • Built for flood control and drinking water.
  • Supports the Raleigh-Durham metro area.
  • Falls Lake offers hiking trails and scenic views.
• Fontana Dam
  • Tallest dam in the Eastern U.S. at 480 feet.
  • Built on the Little Tennessee River for hydroelectric power.
  • Powers parts of Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia.
  • Popular for boating and fishing in Fontana Lake.
• Gaston Dam
• High Rock Dam
  • Located on the Yadkin River.
  • One of the oldest hydroelectric dams in the state.
  • Controls water levels for High Rock Lake, a popular fishing destination.
• Hiwassee Dam
  • Hydroelectric dam managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).
  • Features deep waters and excellent fishing spots.
• Lookout Shoals Dam
• Mountain Island Dam

Major Rivers with Dams in North Carolina

North Carolina’s major rivers include the Cape Fear, French Broad, New, Neuse, and Yadkin-Pee Dee Rivers. 

Cape Fear River

• A 191-mile-long blackwater river that flows into the Atlantic Ocean near Cape Fear 
• The largest river basin in North Carolina, covering more than 9,300 square miles 
• Includes the cities of Greensboro, High Point, Burlington, Durham, Fayetteville, and Wilmington 

French Broad River

• One of the oldest rivers in the world, dating back 260–325 million years 
• Flows north from Rosman, NC, through rural areas and small communities 
• Provides drinking water to more than 1 million residents in western North Carolina 

New River 

• Originates at the confluence of the South and North Fork New rivers along the Ashe-Alleghany county line
• Flows north-northeast into Virginia and West Virginia

Neuse River 

Yadkin-Pee Dee River 

• A major river basin in North Carolina’s Triad region

Other rivers in North Carolina: Cheoah River, Oconaluftee River, and Tuckasegee River. 

State of Dams in North Carolina

The ongoing assessment and maintenance of North Carolina dams represents a significant investment in public safety and infrastructure reliability. Recent evaluations have identified both achievements and areas requiring attention, providing a roadmap for future improvements and modernization efforts.

North Carolina’s dam infrastructure received a “C-” grade in the latest assessment, with approximately 25% of high-hazard dams requiring significant rehabilitation or upgrade work. Current initiatives focus on modernizing spillway capacity and improving emergency action plans.

Dam Safety in North Carolina

Safety and regulatory compliance stand at the forefront of North Carolina’s dam management strategy. The state employs a comprehensive approach to ensure these critical structures maintain their integrity while serving their intended purposes. Through regular inspections, maintenance programs, and emergency preparedness planning, North Carolina’s dam safety program works to protect both the infrastructure and the communities it serves.

As of January 2025, North Carolina has 1579 high hazard dams, 576 significant hazard dams and 1373 low hazard dams.

• NC General Statute Article 21 Part 3: Dam Safety Law
• Current dam safety status: Over 1,500 high-hazard dams under regular monitoring
• North Carolina Dam Safety Program oversight
• Annual inspection requirements for high-hazard North Carolina dams

Dams in North Carolina are inspected and regulated by:

• NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) – Oversees dam safety and maintenance.
• Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) – Regulates hydroelectric dams.
• Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) – Manages dams in western North Carolina.

For more details or to apply for dam safety certification, check out the NC Dam Safety Applications and Fees page.

Read more about Dam Safety in North Carolina:

• Dam Safety Program Overview | NC DEQ
• North Carolina Dam Safety – WebApplication – Overview
• North Carolina has 194 high-hazard dams in poor or unsatisfactory condition | WUNC

Essential Contacts

• Emergency Contact: 1-800-858-0368 / damsafety@deq.nc.gov
• Brad Cole P.E. (Section Chief, Regional Operations):
  • Tel: 919-707-9221 (Business Hours) or (919) 707-9220 (After Hours)
  • Email: brad.cole@ncdenr.gov
  • Address: 217 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27603

Dam Removals in North Carolina

American Rivers’ Dam Removal Database lists 57 dam removals in North Carolina. The database includes all dam removals in which a significant portion of the dam has been removed for the full height of the dam, such that ecological function, natural river flow and fish passage can be restored at the site.

Ward Mill Dam Removal

One of the most significant dam removal projects in North Carolina is the removal of the Ward Mill Dam, a hydropower dam built in 1890 across the Watauga River. The removal project was completed in 2021 and restored 212 miles upstream and 14 miles downstream of the watercourse. The project cost a total of $1.2 million and was completed by Wildlands Engineering and the Aquatic Restoration team from the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Fish Passage Program.

Here’s a video about this project:

Cane River Dam Removal

Another significant dam that was removed in North Carolina was the 45-foot-high Cane River Dam. This was also a hydropower dam in Burnsville on the Cane River, removed in 2016. Read more

Ela Dam Removal

The Ela Dam Removal Project in Swain County is an ongoing project that aims to eventually restore the Oconaluftee River to its natural condition. The removal is expected to cost approximately $16 million and will include dam removal, sediment management (removal of approximately 150,000 – 200,000 cubic yards), restoration and bank stabilization, and construction management activities. As of March 2024, a contractor was appointed to perform the work, but it is uncertain what the current (2025) status is.

For more interesting projects like this, have a look at this list of dam removal projects in North Carolina on Wikipedia.

For more information on dam removal in North Carolina, download the North Carolina Dam Removal Handbook.

List of Dams in North Carolina

Here is a list of federally regulated dams in North Carolina:

Apalachia Dam
B. Everett Jordan Dam
Bear Creek Dam
Blewett Falls Dam
Catawba Dam
Cedar Cliff Dam
Chatuge Dam
Cheoah Dam
Cowans Ford Dam
Falls Lake Dam
Fontana Dam
Gaston Dam
High Rock Dam
Hiwassee Dam
Lookout Shoals Dam
Mountain Island Dam
Nantahala Dam
Oxford Dam
Rhodhiss Dam
Roanoke Rapids Dam
Santeetlah Dam
Shearon Harris Auxiliary Reservoir Dam
Thorpe Dam
Tillery Dam
Tuckertown Dam
Walters Dam
Yadkin Narrows Dam

Conclusion

Dams in North Carolina serve essential functions like water management, flood control, and hydroelectric power, while also offering outdoor activities. However, dam safety, failures, and removals play a crucial role in shaping the state’s water infrastructure.

Want to stay updated? Check dam levels, infrastructure reports, and recreational updates before planning your next visit.

Frequently Asked Questions