Muddy Creek Dam #20 is an earth dam located in McDowell County, North Carolina. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 37 ft37 ft tall and 369 ft long, taller than 83% 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 Muddy Creek Dam #20
The primary purpose of Muddy Creek Dam #20 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 Bill E Burton (private). It impounds the South Fork Creek near Dysartsville.
The dam stands 37 feet tall and stretches 369 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 15 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 250 acre-feet.
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 37 feet, this dam is taller than 83% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | North Carolina |
| County | McDowell |
| Nearest City | Dysartsville |
| River/Stream | South Fork Creek |
| Coordinates | 35.59180, -81.86260 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 37 ft |
| Dam Length | 369 ft |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 250 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 250 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 150 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 15 acres |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Bill E Burton |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 03/13/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC03389 |
| Federal ID | NC03389 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |