Thrash Dam is an earth dam located in Buncombe County, North Carolina. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

Hazard potentialHighFailure would probably cost lives
ConditionSatisfactoryBest of 4 ratings
Emergency action planNone on file
Last inspection02/24/2022
Height34 ft

Dam profile

NID height · 34 ft
34 FT TWO-STORY HOUSEMEDIAN U.S. DAM · 24 FT

34 ft tall and 340 ft long, taller than 78% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.

About Thrash Dam

The primary purpose of Thrash Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Brooks Cove Farms, LLC (private). It impounds the Little Pole Creek near Candler.

The dam stands 34 feet tall and stretches 340 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 37 acre-feet.

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. Notably, no emergency action plan is currently on file for this high-hazard dam. The most recent inspection on record was 02/24/2022.

At 34 feet, this dam is taller than 78% 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

StateNorth Carolina
CountyBuncombe
Nearest CityCandler
River/StreamLittle Pole Creek
Coordinates35.57960, -82.68900

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height34 ft
Dam Length340 ft

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage37 acre-ft
Max Storage37 acre-ft
Normal Storage25 acre-ft
Surface Area2 acres
Max Discharge1,000 cfs

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerBrooks Cove Farms, LLC
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection02/24/2022
Emergency Action PlanNo

Identifiers

NID IDNC01250
Federal IDNC01250
More InfoState Dam Safety Program