Brush Creek Upper Dam

About Brush Creek Upper Dam

The primary purpose of Brush Creek Upper Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Sallie Beckwith Smith 2019 Trust (private). It impounds the Brush Creek near Cullasaja.

The dam stands 12 feet tall and stretches 126 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 8 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 40 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles.

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 01/15/2025.

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.

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