Dams in Forsyth County

There are 248 dams and levees located in Forsyth County. Make sure you are familiar with dam locations near you, and be prepared to evacuate if you are notified to do so. 

Forsyth County dam list as of October 2022 (PDF) | Full database from NC Dam Safety Program

High Hazard Dams: 57

If a failure occurs at a high-hazard dam due to high rainfall or other events, there would be a probable loss of one or more human lives, and downstream property damage would probably exceed $200,000.

Intermediate Hazard Dams: 12

Failure or disoperation of an intermediate hazard dam would result in no probable loss of human life, but it could cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact the community in other ways.

Low Hazard Dams: 179

No human or property loss would likely be affected by the failure of a low-hazard dam. Losses for such dams are principally limited to the owner’s property.

1912 Winston Lake Dam Failure

Winston Lake Dam failed on March 15, 1912, flooding Salem Creek and parts of Winston-Salem, especially affecting Main Street South of today’s Old Salem. Stores were filled with water, a bridge was washed out, and a 700-foot-wide “pond” formed on Main Street, keeping streetcars from being able to serve the “Southside” of Winston-Salem for several days. Dam failure was caused by heavy rains and 12 inches of water overtopping the structure.