In the heart of our rural, centuries-old, unincorporated community, a battle is underway—a battle to save a symbol of our enduring spirit and livelihood. For over a century, the Highfalls dam on the Deep River has been more than just a structure; it has been the lifeblood of our community, powering a local mill and supporting generations of hard-working families.
As discussions and plans unfold about removing this cherished dam, our community stands united in our efforts to protect it. We believe that dismantling the dam will not only strip us of a vital part of our history but also jeopardize our future. We are reaching out to you for support—both in spreading awareness and in assisting with legal costs to fight for the preservation of our dam.
The community's solution to balancing the preservation of the Highfalls Dam while acknowledging the importance of the Cape Fear Shiner’s vitality is to construct an attractive fish ladder on private property that touches the river. A fish ladder, as defined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is a structure that allows migrating fish to pass over or around obstacles in rivers, ensuring their continued movement and survival.
There are numerous design options available for constructing a fish ladder, some of which are not only effective but aesthetically pleasing. Given that the primary goal is to support the Cape Fear Shiner, this approach would address the environmental concerns while preserving the historical and cultural significance of the dam to the community. The proposed fish ladder would provide a viable solution to protect the species without the need to remove the dam, making it a win-win for both the environment and the community.
If the project’s true intent is to prioritize the well-being of the Cape Fear Shiner, as stated by the involved companies, the fish ladder would effectively resolve the dilemma of balancing conservation efforts with the preservation of local heritage. It is essential that the project's stakeholders follow through on their stated goals and ensure that this approach is both respecting the Highfalls Community acknowledged landmark and beneficial to the species in question.
Removing the HighFalls Dam will not adequately address the company’s stated goal of protecting the Cape Fear Shiner, particularly when considering the functioning dam located just a few miles upstream in Coleridge, NC. This dam continues to provide energy while also serving as an obstacle for the same species the company seeks to protect. If the true intent is to preserve the Cape Fear Shiner’s habitat and migration routes, removing the HighFalls Dam would have limited impact on the overall effort, given that the Coleridge Dam remains in place and is unlikely to be removed. Therefore, a more comprehensive and balanced approach, such as the installation of a fish ladder at HighFalls, would be a more effective and realistic solution to support the species while preserving the historical and cultural value of the dam.
When their website makes statements like " Today, multiple stakeholders are working to turn High Falls into a treasured public asset. Removing the dam at High Falls is the first step in this process"- It sounds like they are wanting to turn Highfalls into a tourist attraction. When something is deemed for the "public" that can mean eminent domain taking private property for public use.
Then the site continues to say " There's a nearly 51-mile stretch of the Deep River without public access, and about 30 miles are located in Moore County. A group of stakeholders are working to change that. Removing the dam at High Falls is critical to enabling the public access vision. With the dam removed, the site can support the local economy through outdoor recreation infrastructure..."- These statements make it hard to trust the integrity of their true intentions with the removal of the dam being for profit for those said stakeholders and not for the Shiner as they claim. That also sounds like eminent domain will be used to take property of the citizens that live along the river 30mile stretch for the public access.
Deep River name refers to the steepness of the banks not the depth of the water so there will always be dangerous portage over sharp boulders and bedrock privately or publicly owned.
The dam is not just an old structure; it is a cornerstone of our community's economy and identity. It once powered a mill that was crucial to our local economy, and its presence continues to symbolize our resilience and unity. Removing the dam would mean losing a piece of our heritage and the possible continuation of economic benefits it provided.
Click the photo to learn more about the history of the Highfalls Dam.
Our community is situated in a drought-prone area, where the water table is critical for our farms and agricultural income. The dam plays a significant role in maintaining this delicate balance. Its removal could lead to reduced water levels, affecting crop irrigation and the livelihoods of local farmers.
North Carolina's riparian rights ensure that landowners have rights of usage of water resources. The removal of the dam threatens to infringe upon these rights. Furthermore, the proposed project includes creating a trail and park, which would involve eminent domain—a process that would disrespectfully seize property from numerous landowners, impacting farmland and homes.
The potential for Chapter 146 to be used for easements throughout our properties raises additional fears. Our community, being unincorporated does not have a local police department, we have to utilize the over stretched county resource sheriffs dept. Most of Moore County’s municipals are using the sheriffs support due to their limited police responders employed. This brings concern about increased trespassing and criminal activity. The example of Carbonton, where a removed dam led to increased crime, murder and vandalism, highlights our fears.
The introduction of a trail and park is considered as amenities, this will lead to increased property taxes, which will burden our community, especially those living on fixed incomes. Our local k-8 school, a Title 1 recipient, will face the brunt of increased tourist traffic and economic strain, further impacting our children's education. The school is less than .5mile from the dam and parent pickup lines are already stretching down the sides of hwy 22.
There are concerns that the company pushing for the dam's removal has misled the community. While they claim to have informed us, many residents received only eminent domain notices, not comprehensive updates. Despite our suggestions for alternatives like a fish ladder, the company has dismissed them. This raises questions about their true intentions and their commitment to working with the community.
The dam supports a thriving ecosystem. The company cites algae as a problem, but algae is a crucial part of the food chain. The dam also holds sediment that could otherwise cause pollution elsewhere. The proposed removal could threaten endangered species and disrupt a well-balanced ecosystem that the dam is providing. We question whether the company should focus on addressing environmental issues like "forever chemicals" in the Cape Fear River, where the fish originate, rather than removing a structure that has sustained local wildlife. The company declares they are for people as well as the environment and wildlife; why not restore the hydraulics that have only been not running for under 8yrs, to provide the community with the cleanest energy source. Look what Coal ash did just north of us and with the attacks on the electric grid last year in Moore County, alternate resources should be a priority.
Have a question or a suggestion? We're always here to help. Contact us today and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
We are calling on you to support our fight to save the dam. Your contributions will help cover the legal fees necessary to challenge the removal and protect our community's heritage and environment. Here’s how you can get involved:
Our dam is more than a structure; it is a testament to our community’s resilience and history. As we stand together to protect it, we invite you to join us in preserving a vital part of our past and securing a better future for our community.
For more information on how to donate or get involved, please visit click any buttons on this page that say "DONATE".
All your donations go straight to providing support and fees to saving the Highfalls Dam. Your support is invaluable in our fight to save our dam and our way of life.
Together, let’s stand up for what matters most.
Thank you for your support and commitment.
