The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources (DEMLR) has awarded over $7.3 million for repairs to several high-hazard dams that were damaged during Hurricane Helene. High-hazard dams are defined as those where failure would likely result in loss of life or significant damage to property and infrastructure.
“Hurricane Helene damaged numerous dams in western North Carolina,” said DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson. “Repairing these dams will help ensure that downstream communities will be less vulnerable to loss of life, homes, and businesses during future flood events.”
The grants come from a $10 million allocation approved by the North Carolina General Assembly. After this initial round, $2.7 million remains available for distribution through a second application period.
Following Hurricane Helene, DEMLR staff inspected more than 400 dams across mountain communities. The division received about 20 applications from dam owners, with eight projects selected for funding:
– Feeney Dam (Henderson County): $2,559,942
– Flowers Lake Dam (Catawba County): $203,500
– Lady Marion Dam (McDowell County): $2,781,538
– Lake Junaluska Dam – Powerhouse (Haywood County): $178,875
– Lake Junaluska Dam – Wingwall (Haywood County): $19,400
– Lake Lure Dam (McDowell County): $720,409
– Laurel Lakes Dam (Rutherford County): $282,000
– Warrior Mountain Lake Dam (Polk County): $561,000
After the storm event, DEMLR regional staff spent several weeks assessing approximately 40 damaged dams in western North Carolina; 36 were classified as high-hazard. The extent of damage ranged from minor erosion to complete failure due to overtopping.
“DEMLR is thankful that we are able to provide the grants to help dam owners remove or repair their high-hazard dams affected by Hurricane Helene,” said DEMLR Director Toby Vinson. “With dozens of high hazard dams in Western North Carolina damaged by the storm, these grants will be another major step in the region’s recovery.”
A second application period will open on February 18 and close at 5 p.m. on June 19, 2026. Eligible dam owners can apply for funds supporting design-construction plans for repair or modification projects related to Hurricane Helene damage.
The Department of Environmental Quality is responsible for regulating and protecting natural resources across North Carolina and oversees air quality regulation, permit issuance, environmental law enforcement, waste management and water resource oversight according to its official website. The agency supports public education and compliance efforts while promoting science-based stewardship throughout the state.
