Bee Tree Lake Dam
Bee Tree Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Buncombe County, North Carolina, built in 1927. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Bee Tree Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Bee Tree 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 Asheville (local government). It impounds the Bee Tree Creek near Swannanoa.
The dam stands 182 feet tall and stretches 887 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 41 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,800 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 7 square miles. Completed in 1927, 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 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 03/18/2024.
At 182 feet, this dam is taller than 99% 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 | Buncombe |
| Nearest City | Swannanoa |
| River/Stream | Bee Tree Creek |
| Coordinates | 35.64120, -82.40100 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 182 ft |
| Dam Length | 887 ft |
| Year Completed | 1927 (99 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,800 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,800 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2,017 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 41 acres |
| Drainage Area | 7 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 46,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Asheville |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 03/18/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC00289 |
| Federal ID | NC00289 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |