Chestnut Lake Dam

TR-LAWSONS FORK CREEK· Spartanburg, South Carolina· Built 1975· 26 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Chestnut Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1975 and is 51 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 26 ft (taller than 67% in SC)
Max Storage224 acre-ft
Normal Storage144 acre-ft
Surface Area15 acres
Year Completed1975 (51 years old)
NID IDSC02169

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 8, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

CHESNUT LAKE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Chestnut Lake Dam?

Chestnut 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 Chestnut Lake Dam?

Chestnut Lake Dam is owned by CHESNUT LAKE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Chestnut Lake Dam built?

Chestnut Lake Dam was completed in 1975, making it 51 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 Chestnut Lake Dam?

Chestnut 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 Chestnut Lake Dam?

Chestnut Lake Dam has a dam height of 26 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 Chestnut Lake Dam last inspected?

Chestnut Lake Dam was last inspected on September 8, 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.