Kernersville Water Supply Dam
Kernersville Water Supply Dam is an earth dam located in Forsyth County, North Carolina, built in 1952. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Kernersville Water Supply Dam
The primary purpose of Kernersville Water Supply 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 Town Of Kernersville (local government). It impounds the Belews Creek near Grimes Crossroads.
The dam stands 20 feet tall and stretches 650 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 40 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 300 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1952, 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 12/05/2023.
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 | Forsyth |
| Nearest City | Grimes Crossroads |
| River/Stream | Belews Creek |
| Coordinates | 36.15470, -80.10120 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 20 ft |
| Dam Length | 650 ft |
| Year Completed | 1952 (74 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 300 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 300 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 280 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 40 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 3,055 cfs |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Town of Kernersville |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 12/05/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC00315 |
| Federal ID | NC00315 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |