Cross Lake Dam, located in Elizabethtown, North Carolina, is a private earth dam constructed in 1820 primarily for recreational purposes.
Wind
Humidity
Standing at a structural height of 17 feet and a hydraulic height of 10 feet, the dam impounds Brown Creek, creating a reservoir with a normal storage capacity of 140 acre-feet. With a drainage area of 9,216 acres, the dam plays a crucial role in flood control and water supply management for the surrounding area.
Despite its age, Cross Lake Dam has a high hazard potential and has not been rated for its condition as of the last inspection in December 2020. The dam's emergency action plan status, risk assessment, and inundation maps preparedness remain unclear. However, with a maximum discharge capacity of 99 cubic feet per second and a storage volume of 163 acre-feet, the dam continues to serve its intended recreational and water management purposes effectively. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate change will find Cross Lake Dam to be a fascinating example of early dam engineering and the intersection of human infrastructure with natural ecosystems.
Year Completed |
1820 |
Dam Length |
672 |
River Or Stream |
Brown Creek |
Primary Dam Type |
Earth |
Surface Area |
15 |
Hydraulic Height |
10 |
Drainage Area |
9216 |
Nid Storage |
163 |
Structural Height |
17 |
Hazard Potential |
High |
Nid Height |
17 |
Big Swamp Nr Tarheel
|
125cfs |
Cape Fear R At Wilm O Huske Lock Nr Tarheel
|
1860cfs |
Black River Near Tomahawk
|
668cfs |
Cape Fear R At Lock #1 Nr Kelly
|
2420cfs |
Lumber River At Lumberton
|
514cfs |
Lumber River At Boardman
|
814cfs |