Ben Webber Lake Dam
Ben Webber Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Gaston County, North Carolina, built in 1982. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Ben Webber Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Ben Webber Lake 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 Bessemer City (local government). It impounds the Long Creek.
The dam stands 34 feet tall and stretches 400 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 12 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 150 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1982, the structure is 44 years old.
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 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 01/30/2025.
At 34 feet, this dam is taller than 80% 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 | Gaston |
| River/Stream | Long Creek |
| Coordinates | 35.30130, -81.32500 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 34 ft |
| Dam Length | 400 ft |
| Year Completed | 1982 (44 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 150 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 150 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 145 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 12 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Town of Bessemer City |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 01/30/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC02629 |
| Federal ID | NC02629 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |