Buncombe Lake Dam

BUNCOMBE BRANCH· Taliaferro, Georgia· Built 1975· Earth· 18 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Buncombe Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Georgia. It was completed in 1975 and is 51 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 32.5% in GA)
Dam Length377 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage128 acre-ft
Surface Area10 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed1975 (51 years old)
NID IDGA01857

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: June 1, 2009
State Regulated: No

Ownership

State of Georgia Parks & Historic Places

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Buncombe Lake Dam?

Buncombe 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 Buncombe Lake Dam?

Buncombe Lake Dam is owned by State of Georgia Parks & Historic Places (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Buncombe Lake Dam built?

Buncombe Lake Dam was completed in 1975, making it 51 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 Buncombe Lake Dam?

Buncombe 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.

How tall is Buncombe Lake Dam?

Buncombe Lake Dam has a dam height of 18 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Buncombe Lake Dam last inspected?

Buncombe Lake Dam was last inspected on June 1, 2009. 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.