Bynum is a gravity dam located in Chatham County, North Carolina, built in 1874. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 18 ft18 ft tall and 900 ft long. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic concrete gravity section and the water level is illustrative.
About Bynum
The primary purpose of Bynum is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Mcmahan Hydroelectric, L.l.c. (private). It impounds the Haw River near Bynum.
The dam stands 18 feet tall and stretches 900 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 20 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 100 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1,290 square miles. Completed in 1874, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 09/21/2022.
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Location
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Chatham |
| Nearest City | Bynum |
| River/Stream | Haw River |
| Coordinates | 35.77570, -79.14920 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Height | 13 ft |
| Dam Length | 900 ft |
| Year Completed | 1874 (152 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 100 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 100 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 100 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 20 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1,290 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 18,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Mcmahan Hydroelectric, L.l.c. |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/21/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC00625 |
| Federal ID | NC00625 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |