Biltmore Lake Dam (enka Lake Dam)
Biltmore Lake Dam (enka Lake Dam) is an earth dam located in Buncombe County, North Carolina, built in 1933. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Biltmore Lake Dam (enka Lake Dam)
The primary purpose of Biltmore Lake Dam (enka Lake Dam) is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Biltmore Lake Association, Inc. (private). It impounds the Bill Moore Creek near Enka.
The dam stands 26 feet tall and stretches 281 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 65 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,523 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 5 square miles. Completed in 1933, 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 03/25/2025.
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 | Buncombe |
| Nearest City | Enka |
| River/Stream | Bill Moore Creek |
| Coordinates | 35.53790, -82.65870 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 26 ft |
| Dam Length | 281 ft |
| Year Completed | 1933 (93 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,523 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,523 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 600 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 65 acres |
| Drainage Area | 5 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 4,950 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Biltmore Lake Association, Inc. |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 03/25/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC00293 |
| Federal ID | NC00293 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |