Marshall Active Ash Basin Dam
Marshall Active Ash Basin Dam is an earth dam located in Catawba County, North Carolina, built in 1962. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Marshall Active Ash Basin Dam
Marshall Active Ash Basin Dam is a dam in Catawba, North Carolina. The dam is owned by Duke Energy Corporation (public utility). It impounds the Lake Norman near Mount Holly.
The dam stands 90 feet tall and stretches 2,650 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 79 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 10,152 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1962, 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 10/16/2024.
At 90 feet, this dam is taller than 98% 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 | Catawba |
| Nearest City | Mount Holly |
| River/Stream | Lake Norman |
| Coordinates | 35.60600, -80.96020 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 90 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,650 ft |
| Year Completed | 1962 (64 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 10,152 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 10,152 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 79 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Other |
| Owner | Duke Energy Corporation |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 10/16/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC01322 |
| Federal ID | NC01322 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |