Msd Treatment Plant Dam
Msd Treatment Plant Dam is a rockfill dam located in Buncombe County, North Carolina, built in 1967. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Msd Treatment Plant Dam
Msd Treatment Plant Dam is a dam in Buncombe, North Carolina. The dam is owned by Metropolitan Sewer District Buncombe County (local government). It impounds the French Broad River near Alexander.
The dam stands 75 feet tall and stretches 320 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 11 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 385 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1967, 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 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 03/23/2023.
At 75 feet, this dam is taller than 97% 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 | Alexander |
| River/Stream | French Broad River |
| Coordinates | 35.64590, -82.59630 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Rockfill |
| NID Height | 75 ft |
| Dam Length | 320 ft |
| Year Completed | 1967 (59 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 385 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 385 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 276 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 11 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Other |
| Owner | Metropolitan Sewer District Buncombe County |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 03/23/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC00320 |
| Federal ID | NC00320 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |