Deyton Dam
Deyton Dam is an earth dam located in Yancey County, North Carolina, built in 1950. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Deyton Dam
The primary purpose of Deyton Dam is fish and wildlife pond. The dam creates habitat for fish and wildlife, supporting local ecosystems and potentially serving conservation goals. The dam is owned by Kenneth F Deyton (private). It impounds the Ut To Crabtree Creek.
The dam stands 22 feet tall and stretches 235 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 10 acre-feet. Completed in 1950, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 03/04/2025.
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.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Yancey |
| River/Stream | Ut To Crabtree Creek |
| Coordinates | 35.92360, -82.27190 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Length | 235 ft |
| Year Completed | 1950 (76 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 10 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 10 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 9 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1 acres |
| Max Discharge | 127 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Fish and Wildlife Pond |
| Owner | Kenneth F Deyton |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 03/04/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC05632 |
| Federal ID | NC05632 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |