The history of the Burnett Reservoir

 Burnett Reservoir serving Black Mountain and Asheville

In about 1800, the first non-indigenous people to settle in the valley where the North Fork of the Swannanoa River flowed, just north of what was then Gray Eagle, were Fredrick Thomas Burnett Sr. and his wife known as Granny Else. The North Fork Valley, known for its abundant game, wild beauty and rocky land, soon started attracting more people, including Gov. Zebulon Vance.

By the early 1900s, Asheville needed a new water source for its city. Using eminent domain in 1926, the city of Asheville condemned the northern part of the valley and fenced it off, not allowing the residents to return. The Burnetts and other residents tried to fight back but failed. In 1933 the construction of the reservoir started and was completed a couple of years later. Will and Bart, great grandsons of Fredrick Thomas Burnett Sr., were made the first wardens of the reservoir, then called the Burnett Reservoir. After a severe drought in 1950, a new dam and watershed were built and completed in 1955. The photo from our collections is of the second location of Mountain View Baptist Church prior to its third move due to the building of the new watershed. Both the stones of the building and the graves had to be moved or they would be lost under the water.  

After hurricane Ivan and Francis in 2004 and fear of future seismic activity, plans for reinforcing the dam started. In 2018, the first blasts for the construction started. By the time of completion in 2021, the main spillway was improved and an additional one was added, modifications of piping for untreated water to the treatment center were done, earthen buttresses were added to the dam for stability, and the dam was raised 4 feet.

Sources: Swannanoa Valley History Museum, and Black Mountain News

Today's quote:

How can I be of service? We can make this an everyday practice.

PEMA CHÖDRÖN