Moss Lake Dam
Moss Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Cleveland County, North Carolina, built in 1973. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Moss Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Moss Lake 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 City Of Kings Mountain (local government). It impounds the Buffalo Creek near Earl Station.
The dam stands 99 feet tall and stretches 840 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1,329 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 51,032 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 68 square miles. Completed in 1973, 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 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 03/25/2025.
At 99 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 | Cleveland |
| Nearest City | Earl Station |
| River/Stream | Buffalo Creek |
| Coordinates | 35.27670, -81.45520 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 99 ft |
| Dam Length | 840 ft |
| Year Completed | 1973 (53 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 51,032 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 51,032 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 35,600 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1,329 acres |
| Drainage Area | 68 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 77,418 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Kings Mountain |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 03/25/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC00204 |
| Federal ID | NC00204 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |