Pyle Dam is an earth dam located in Macon County, North Carolina, built in 1977. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 28 ft28 ft tall and 192 ft long, taller than 62% 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 Pyle Dam
The primary purpose of Pyle Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Honelowee Estates Owners Association, Inc. (private). It impounds the Potts Branch near Oak Grove.
The dam stands 28 feet tall and stretches 192 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 28 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1977, the structure is 49 years old.
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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 03/25/2025.
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Location
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Macon |
| Nearest City | Oak Grove |
| River/Stream | Potts Branch |
| Coordinates | 35.26730, -83.42150 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Length | 192 ft |
| Year Completed | 1977 (49 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 28 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 28 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 16 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 2 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 650 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Honelowee Estates Owners Association, Inc. |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 03/25/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC01364 |
| Federal ID | NC01364 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |