Dams in McDowell County, North Carolina
McDowell County has 40 dams in the National Inventory of Dams, of which 14 are classified high hazard (Class C) and 16 intermediate hazard (Class B). Inventory, hazard classification, condition ratings and emergency action plan status, with the North Carolina requirements that apply to each.
| Measure | Count |
|---|---|
| Total dams | 40 |
| Class C — high hazard | 14 |
| Class B — intermediate hazard | 16 |
| Class A — low hazard | 10 |
| EAP required by statute (Class B + C) | 30 |
| — with no EAP recorded | 11 |
| Rated Poor | 2 |
| Rated Unsatisfactory | 3 |
| Median year completed | 1977 |
| Oldest dam on record | 1902 |
What this means for owners in McDowell County
Of the 40 dams on record, 30 carry a statutory emergency action plan obligation under G.S. 143-215.31(a1) because they are classified Class B or Class C. 11 of those have no plan recorded in the national inventory — a 37% gap. Ownership across the county is 26 private, 11 local government, 2 not listed.
On condition, McDowell County has 2 rated Poor and 3 rated Unsatisfactory. A Poor or Unsatisfactory rating is a dam-safety finding, not a maintenance note: it means identified deficiencies that could lead to failure under the loading the dam is expected to withstand. Median completion year of 1977 puts the typical dam in the county at roughly 49 years old.
Requirements that apply
- Hazard classification — Class A / B / C under 15A NCAC 02K .0105, decided by downstream consequence rather than dam size.
- Emergency action plans — required for Class B and Class C within 90 days of classification, updated annually.
- Permits and exemptions — when approval is required for construction, repair, alteration or removal.
Data source. Dam counts, hazard classifications, condition ratings and EAP status are computed directly from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Inventory of Dams national extract, stamped 2026-8-28. NID reflects what state and federal programs have reported to USACE; it can lag a state program's own records, and an "EAP Prepared: No" flag means no plan is recorded in NID rather than proof that no plan exists. Figures here are computed from the raw extract, not quoted from secondary reporting.
Scope. This page is general information about North Carolina dam safety regulation, current as of 2026-08-28. It is not an engineering opinion about any specific structure and it is not legal advice. Requirements change when the General Assembly amends the Dam Safety Law or the Environmental Management Commission amends the rules — always confirm against the current text of the statute and 15A NCAC 02K, and contact the NCDEQ Dam Safety Program for a determination that binds.