Black Mountain Reservoir Dam
Black Mountain Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Buncombe County, North Carolina. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Black Mountain Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Black Mountain Reservoir 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 Town Of Black Mountain Public Works & Sanitation (local government). It impounds the Ut To Swannanoa River near Black Mountain.
The dam stands 46 feet tall and stretches 350 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 3 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 56 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles.
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 04/25/2023.
At 46 feet, this dam is taller than 91% of dams nationwide.
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 | Black Mountain |
| River/Stream | Ut To Swannanoa River |
| Coordinates | 35.61080, -82.28750 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 46 ft |
| Dam Length | 350 ft |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 56 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 56 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 48 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 3 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 350 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Town of Black Mountain Public Works & Sanitation |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 04/25/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC01247 |
| Federal ID | NC01247 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |