Map of All 2,439 South Carolina Dams
South Carolina has 2,439 dams in the National Inventory of Dams — and 674 are classified as high hazard (28% of the state’s total), meaning failure would likely cause loss of life. 156 South Carolina dams are both high-hazard and in poor or unsatisfactory condition.
Use the interactive South Carolina dams map below to explore every dam in the state, color-coded by hazard level. Click any dam for its condition assessment, last inspection date, and Emergency Action Plan status. Or view the full US Dams interactive map to compare South Carolina to every other state.
Hazard
Condition
Purpose
South Carolina Dams by the Numbers
- 2,439 total dams in South Carolina
- 674 high hazard — failure would likely cause loss of life
- 245 significant hazard
- 1,395 low hazard
- 1,120 in poor or unsatisfactory condition (1,054 poor, 66 unsatisfactory)
- 156 South Carolina dams are both high-hazard AND in poor/unsatisfactory condition
Data source: US Army Corps of Engineers, National Inventory of Dams (NID).
The Tallest Dams in South Carolina
The tallest dam in South Carolina is Jocassee at 385 feet, completed in 1973. The 10 tallest South Carolina dams from the National Inventory of Dams:
| Dam | Height | Year | Primary Purpose | Condition | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jocassee | 385 ft | 1973 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | Pickens |
| Bad Creek Main Dam | 360 ft | 1991 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | Oconee |
| Saluda | 234 ft | 1930 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | Lexington |
| Saluda Backup Berm | 213 ft | 2005 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | Lexington |
| Fairfield Dam B (Main Dam) | 204 ft | 1977 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | Fairfield |
| Ridgeway Tailings Impdam | 189 ft | – | Other | Not Rated | Fairfield |
| North Saluda Reservoir Dam | 175 ft | 1956 | Water Supply | Satisfactory | Greenville |
| West Dam, Bad Creek | 170 ft | 1991 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | Oconee |
| Keowee | 170 ft | 1971 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | Oconee |
| Fairfield Dam A | 169 ft | 1977 | Hydroelectric | Satisfactory | Fairfield |
High-Hazard South Carolina Dams in Poor Condition
The most concerning dams are those classified as high-hazard that also carry a Poor or Unsatisfactory condition rating — 156 dams in South Carolina. Notable examples:
- Lake Lanier Dam (55 ft, Greenville County) — Recreation, Poor condition
- Chattooga Lake Dam (55 ft, Oconee County) — Recreation, Poor condition
- Silver Lake Dam (52 ft, Spartanburg County) — Recreation, Poor condition
- Weston Lake (48 ft, Richland County) — Recreation, Unsatisfactory condition
- Finleys Lake Dam (48 ft, Pickens County) — Flood Risk Reduction, Poor condition
Filter the interactive US Dams map by hazard and condition to see all of them on one view.
Dam Safety in South Carolina
Dam safety in South Carolina is overseen by the state dam safety program, in coordination with federal regulators: the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation (for federal water projects), the Tennessee Valley Authority where applicable, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for licensed hydropower dams. Emergency Action Plans are typically required for high-hazard dams under state regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dams are in South Carolina?
South Carolina has 2,439 dams in the National Inventory of Dams tracked by the US Army Corps of Engineers: 674 high hazard, 245 significant hazard, and 1,395 low hazard.
What is the tallest dam in South Carolina?
The tallest dam in South Carolina is Jocassee at 385 feet, completed in 1973. It is primarily a hydroelectric structure.
How many South Carolina dams are in poor condition?
1,120 South Carolina dams are currently rated as being in Poor or Unsatisfactory condition. Of those, 156 are also classified as high-hazard — meaning failure would likely cause loss of life.
