Spencer Mountain
Spencer Mountain is a masonry dam located in Gaston County, North Carolina, built in 1905. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Spencer Mountain
The primary purpose of Spencer Mountain is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Spencer Mountain Hydropower, Llc (private). It impounds the South Fork Catawba River near Mcadenville.
The dam stands 24 feet tall and stretches 636 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 69 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 166 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 622 square miles. Completed in 1905, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 04/25/2022.
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Location
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Gaston |
| Nearest City | Mcadenville |
| River/Stream | South Fork Catawba River |
| Coordinates | 35.30920, -81.11160 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Masonry |
| NID Height | 24 ft |
| Dam Height | 12 ft |
| Dam Length | 636 ft |
| Year Completed | 1905 (121 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 166 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 166 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 166 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 69 acres |
| Drainage Area | 622 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Spencer Mountain Hydropower, LLC |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 04/25/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC06531 |
| Federal ID | NC06531 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |