North Fork Reservoir Dam
North Fork Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Buncombe County, North Carolina, built in 1954. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About North Fork Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of North Fork Reservoir Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by City Of Asheville (local government). It impounds the N. Fork Swannanoa River near Swannanoa.
The dam stands 134 feet tall and stretches 1,309 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 334 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 21,700 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 21 square miles. Completed in 1954, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 03/18/2024.
At 134 feet, this dam is taller than 99% of all dams in the United States.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The North Carolina dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Buncombe |
| Nearest City | Swannanoa |
| River/Stream | N. Fork Swannanoa River |
| Coordinates | 35.66150, -82.34480 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 134 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,309 ft |
| Year Completed | 1954 (72 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 21,700 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 21,700 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 17,600 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 334 acres |
| Drainage Area | 21 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 27,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Asheville |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 03/18/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC00288 |
| Federal ID | NC00288 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |