Bates Dam is an earth dam located in Davidson County, North Carolina, built in 1982. It carries a Low hazard potential classification.
Dam profile
NID height · 26 ft26 ft tall and 170 ft long, taller than 55% 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 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.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
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 assessed |
| Last Inspection | 01/13/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC02181 |
| Federal ID | NC02181 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |