Mchan Dam
Mchan Dam is an earth dam located in Swain County, North Carolina. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Mchan Dam
The primary purpose of Mchan Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by John V Mchan (private). It impounds the Ut To Ocaunoluftee River near Bryson City.
The dam stands 20 feet tall and stretches 225 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 16 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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. The most recent inspection on record was 04/23/2013. That was over 12 years ago.
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Location
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Swain |
| Nearest City | Bryson City |
| River/Stream | Ut To Ocaunoluftee River |
| Coordinates | 35.45000, -83.38030 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 20 ft |
| Dam Length | 225 ft |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 16 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 16 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 14 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 2 acres |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | John V McHan |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 04/23/2013 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC04331 |
| Federal ID | NC04331 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |