Bailey Dam

TR-BEARDS FORK CREEK· Laurens, South Carolina· 29 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Water Supply Private

Key Takeaway

Bailey Dam is classified as high hazard in South Carolina. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height	29 ft (taller than 77.1% in SC)
Max Storage	260 acre-ft
Normal Storage	95 acre-ft

Surface Area	17 acres
NID ID	SC02385

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes

Last Inspection: September 22, 2022

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

DIXON LAND COMPANY LP

Private

Nearby Dams

Bailey Dam 2

Laurens, SC

Low Hazard 40 ft

Duncan Creek WCD Dam 2

Laurens, SC

High Hazard 45 ft

Clinton Thornwell Pond 2

Laurens, SC

Unknown 12 ft

Lakeside Country Club Dam

Laurens, SC

Significant Hazard 31 ft

Duncan Creek WCD Dam 5

Laurens, SC

Low Hazard 43 ft

Duncan Creek WCD Dam 6b

Laurens, SC

Low Hazard 48 ft

City of Clinton Dam

Laurens, SC

Low Hazard 23 ft

Parker Mims Dam

Laurens, SC

Low Hazard 26 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bailey Dam?

Bailey Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Bailey Dam?

Bailey Dam is owned by DIXON LAND COMPANY LP (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Bailey Dam?

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

How tall is Bailey Dam?

Bailey Dam has a dam height of 29 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 Bailey Dam last inspected?

Bailey Dam was last inspected on September 22, 2022. 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.