Lake Charles Dam, located in Buncombe, North Carolina, is a privately owned earth dam on Grassy Creek with a primary purpose of recreation.
Wind
Humidity
With a hydraulic height of 16 feet and a structural height of 19 feet, the dam spans a length of 254 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 25 acre-feet. Despite its recreational focus, the dam poses a high hazard potential and has been assessed as being in poor condition as of September 2018.
The dam is regulated by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) and its Dam Safety Program, which oversee permitting, inspection, and enforcement activities. The last inspection of Lake Charles Dam was conducted in September 2018, with a frequency of every two years. The dam does not have an emergency action plan in place, raising concerns about its readiness to respond to potential risks and emergencies.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the Lake Charles Dam should take note of its location in Bat Cave, North Carolina, and the potential hazards associated with its condition. As a recreational structure with a history of poor assessment, there is a need for increased monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and environment. More efforts are required to address the high hazard potential and to establish emergency preparedness measures for this privately owned dam.
Dam Length |
254 |
River Or Stream |
Grassy Creek |
Primary Dam Type |
Earth |
Surface Area |
3 |
Hydraulic Height |
16 |
Nid Storage |
25 |
Structural Height |
19 |
Hazard Potential |
High |
Nid Height |
19 |
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Creekside Mountain Camping
|
||
River Creek Camp Ground
|
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Catawba Falls Campground, LLC
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