Ballentine Farms Pond Dam
Fuquay-Varina, NC
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Regulatory compliance (NCDEQ Dam Safety)
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Preliminary visual dam inspection
- Rehabilitation vs. breach alternatives
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Planning-level cost evaluation
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Ownership review and coordination
Project
High Hazard Dam Compliance Evaluation
RiskHydro provided dam safety compliance support for a High Hazard dam in central North Carolina under active regulatory action by the NCDEQ Dam Safety Program. The project involved an independent compliance review, preliminary field inspection, and development of rehabilitation and decommissioning alternatives to address a Notice of Continuing Deficiency (NOCD) citing persistent structural and maintenance issues.
Working under a compressed schedule, RiskHydro reviewed ownership records, historical deficiency notices, and engineering documentation to clarify regulatory responsibilities and risk exposure. The team conducted a preliminary visual inspection of the dam and appurtenances. Findings were summarized in a comprehensive compliance memorandum outlining two clear paths to resolution—rehabilitation to restore the dam’s functionality or permanent breach to eliminate regulatory oversight and liability—supported by planning-level cost estimates and recommended next steps for coordination with NCDEQ.
| Location Central North Carolina | Client Type Private |
| Client Private Owner | Service Area Dam Safety |
| Project Type Dam Safety Compliance Support | Partnership Year 2025 |
| Project Status Complete |
Key Project Highlights
The dam was classified as High Hazard due to downstream risk to life and property and had been the subject of multiple NCDEQ Dam Safety deficiency notices spanning more than a decade. The most recent Notice of Continuing Deficiency (2025) identified major unresolved problems. With these conditions persisting or worsening over time, the owners faced escalating regulatory and liability risks, requiring immediate evaluation of feasible compliance options.
RiskHydro executed a comprehensive compliance review combining regulatory analysis, site observation, and decision-support planning. Key tasks included:
- Evaluating ownership and regulatory records to confirm compliance responsibilities and clarify NCDEQ jurisdiction.
- Conducting a preliminary field inspection documenting vegetation, embankment deterioration, spillway erosion, and access constraints.
- Comparing historical vs. current deficiencies to determine trends and assess regulatory progress.
- Developing compliance alternatives – rehabilitation versus permanent breach/decommissioning – tailored to cost, risk, and long-term ownership goals.
- Preparing planning-level cost estimates for each alternative and recommending next steps including drawdown, regulatory coordination, preliminary engineering, and funding strategy development.
- Clarified ownership responsibilities and outlined NCDEQ regulatory expectations.
- Documented existing deficiencies and provided a defensible record of dam conditions for agency coordination.
- Presented two viable compliance pathways:
• Rehabilitation: restore safe operation while preserving the reservoir.
• Breaching / Decommissioning: remove the dam from regulation and eliminate long-term liability. - Delivered planning-level cost ranges enabling informed decision-making
- Supported the client with a clear regulatory roadmap to maintain compliance and mitigate risk.
Project Features
“RiskHydro delivered a comprehensive assessment of our dam, including regulatory review, preliminary visual inspection, and planning-level cost estimates for rehabilitation and breach alternatives. Matt clearly communicated the dam’s deficiencies, associated liabilities, and recommended interim risk-reduction measures. The analysis was thorough, objective, and instrumental in guiding our next steps. We highly recommend RiskHydro for dam safety and infrastructure consulting.” – D.M.
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