Sidden Upper Dam is an earth dam located in Wilkes County, North Carolina. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification.
Dam profile
NID height · 26 ft26 ft tall and 225 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 Sidden Upper Dam
The primary purpose of Sidden Upper Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Patricia I Sidden (private). It impounds the Double Creek near Traphill.
The dam stands 26 feet tall and stretches 225 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 12 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles.
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. The most recent inspection on record was 01/03/2025.
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Location
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Wilkes |
| Nearest City | Traphill |
| River/Stream | Double Creek |
| Coordinates | 36.37670, -81.09400 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 26 ft |
| Dam Length | 225 ft |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 12 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 12 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 11 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 52 cfs |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Patricia I Sidden |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Not assessed |
| Last Inspection | 01/03/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC04671 |
| Federal ID | NC04671 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |