Bates Dam
Bates Dam is an earth dam located in Davidson County, North Carolina, built in 1982. It carries a Low hazard potential classification.
About Bates Dam
The primary purpose of Bates Dam is debris control. The dam is designed to catch sediment, rocks, and debris carried by flowing water — particularly important in areas prone to mudslides or heavy erosion. The dam is owned by Richard L Bates (private). It impounds the Reedy Creek near Salisbury.
The dam stands 26 feet tall and stretches 170 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 17 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1982, the structure is 44 years old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. The most recent inspection on record was 01/13/2025.
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Location
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Davidson |
| Nearest City | Salisbury |
| River/Stream | Reedy Creek |
| Coordinates | 35.89940, -80.30170 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 26 ft |
| Dam Length | 170 ft |
| Year Completed | 1982 (44 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 17 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 17 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 15 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 45 cfs |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Debris Control |
| Owner | Richard L Bates |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Not Rated |
| Last Inspection | 01/13/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC02181 |
| Federal ID | NC02181 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |