Muddy Creek Dam #16 is an earth dam located in McDowell County, North Carolina, built in 1963. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 46 ft46 ft tall and 292 ft long, taller than 91% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a ten-story building, about 100 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Muddy Creek Dam #16
The primary purpose of Muddy Creek Dam #16 is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Rutherford Electric Membership Corporation (public utility). It impounds the South Muddy Creek near Dysartsville.
The dam stands 46 feet tall and stretches 292 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 10 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 7,640 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 37 square miles. Completed in 1963, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 03/13/2023.
At 46 feet, this dam is taller than 91% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | North Carolina |
| County | McDowell |
| Nearest City | Dysartsville |
| River/Stream | South Muddy Creek |
| Coordinates | 35.60170, -81.88630 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 46 ft |
| Dam Length | 292 ft |
| Year Completed | 1963 (63 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 7,640 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 7,640 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 100 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 10 acres |
| Drainage Area | 37 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Rutherford Electric Membership Corporation |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 03/13/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC03388 |
| Federal ID | NC03388 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |