Bessemer City Water Treatment Reservoir Dam

Bessemer City Water Treatment Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Gaston County, North Carolina. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.

About Bessemer City Water Treatment Reservoir Dam

The primary purpose of Bessemer City Water Treatment 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 Town Of Bessemer City (local government). It impounds the Long Creek.

The dam stands 20 feet tall and stretches 550 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 14 acre-feet.

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 02/08/2024.

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.

High HazardFair ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateNorth Carolina
CountyGaston
River/StreamLong Creek
Coordinates35.28850, -81.29700

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height20 ft
Dam Length550 ft

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage14 acre-ft
Max Storage14 acre-ft
Surface Area1 acres

Ownership & Safety

PurposeWater Supply
OwnerTown of Bessemer City
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentFair
Last Inspection02/08/2024
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDNC02634
Federal IDNC02634
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

Nearby Dams