Bel-Air Lake Dam

South Fork Creek· Catawba, North Carolina· Built 1961· Earth·
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Bel-Air Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in North Carolina. It was completed in 1961 and is 65 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Length498 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage178 acre-ft
Normal Storage148 acre-ft
Surface Area7 acres
Drainage Area64 sq mi
Max Discharge10 cfs
Year Completed1961 (65 years old)
NID IDNC00408

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: November 7, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NCDEQ, DEMLR, Dam Safety Program

Ownership

Sherrill Furniture Company

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bel-Air Lake Dam?

Bel-Air Lake Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Bel-Air Lake Dam?

Bel-Air Lake Dam is owned by Sherrill Furniture Company (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Bel-Air Lake Dam built?

Bel-Air Lake Dam was completed in 1961, making it 65 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Bel-Air Lake Dam?

Bel-Air Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

When was Bel-Air Lake Dam last inspected?

Bel-Air Lake Dam was last inspected on November 7, 2019. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.