Chatham Lake Dam

TR-THOMPSON CREEK· Chesterfield, South Carolina· Built 1978· 17 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Chatham Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1978 and is 48 years old. 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 17 ft (taller than 33.8% in SC)
Max Storage53 acre-ft
Normal Storage35 acre-ft
Surface Area7 acres
Year Completed1978 (48 years old)
NID IDSC01869

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: March 30, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

CHATHAM LAKE IMPRV ASN INC

Private

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Chatham Lake Dam?

Chatham Lake 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 Chatham Lake Dam?

Chatham Lake Dam is owned by CHATHAM LAKE IMPRV ASN INC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Chatham Lake Dam built?

Chatham Lake Dam was completed in 1978, making it 48 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 Chatham Lake Dam?

Chatham 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 Chatham Lake Dam?

Chatham Lake Dam has a dam height of 17 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 Chatham Lake Dam last inspected?

Chatham Lake Dam was last inspected on March 30, 2023. 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.