Posted: 1/25/2026 3:31:59 PM EDT
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I’m in Buncombe County. Not sure how much of a difference that makes. I have a creek I’d like to dam. What are the first steps? Contacting county, or a contractor? I know it’s possible to dam this creek. I’m not sure if the county would allow it or not. Just looking for any advice from anyone with knowledge on the subject. |
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Does the creek have an actual name? If the name appears on a map then it might be under the control of the army corp of engineers. I ran into a problem with a creek that ran across the front of my property and under my gravel driveway. Had new neighbors move in and they decided they didn't like the creek running across their property. They decided to fill it in blocking any water run off to the nearby pond. The large pond if fed by many sources so it didn't really affect the pond. After numerous protest by me to let it flow the way the county intended they still were allow to block it. Naturally it washed out my driveway. I had the raise the level of my driveway two feet and put in a larger culvert. I even had Army Corp of Engineers to come out and look at the situation. I was told although it was shitty what the neighbor did, but they didn't not have control because the creek had no official name by them. To them it was just stormwater runoff from a nearby wetlands. So guess what happens now that I spent the money on raising the driveway and installing a larger culvert? You guessed it floods their whole front yard. I just sit back and smile. They still cuss me for something they caused. Had they left well enough alone all would have been fine. They have be too lazy to dig up the 2 foot wide creek so that it can run where it is suppose to. |
Tennessee Squire
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It doesn’t matter if the stream is named or not. There are perennial streams( regulated/permitted) intermittent streams(regulated/permitted) and ephemeral drainage(sometimes regulated). It sounds like yours is a perennial stream and would require permits. In stream ponds (dam built across stream) is the most regulated. I know someone personally who did the same on a spring fed creek on their property. The stream started on their property. After multiple contacts with state and local agencies and not getting clear answers - they just built the pond. It’s about 3/4 of an acre. That was 5 or so years back. Typically at a minimum you need to contact your county planning office and the NCDEQ. Just be prepared for incompetence and trouble getting actual answers or guidance. Document everything if you do. Also, make sure you have general knowledge on how to build a dam on a stream. This will help you weed out contractors that will leave you with a leaky problem. I’d also do a drainage model on the area so you know what size pipe to use. |
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Good place to start OP. My limited experience based on my father having a pond built years ago was it takes some time to get through the paperwork but it saves a lot of hassle on the back end along with potential fines. Given the prevalence of satellite / drone mapping these days, it's hard to hide a new build of anything from the authorities / tax man. NC Pond Info |
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