Clifton No. 3

Pacolet River· Spartanburg, South Carolina· Built 1899· Gravity· 33 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Private

Key Takeaway

Clifton No. 3 is classified as low hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1899 and is 127 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 33 ft (taller than 85.2% in SC)
Dam Length375 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage250 acre-ft
Normal Storage250 acre-ft
Surface Area20 acres
Drainage Area318 sq mi
Max Discharge60,000 cfs
Year Completed1899 (127 years old)
NID IDSC01063

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

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

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: November 7, 2017
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Converse Energy Corporation

Private

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Clifton No. 3?

Clifton No. 3 is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Clifton No. 3?

Clifton No. 3 is owned by Converse Energy Corporation (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Clifton No. 3 built?

Clifton No. 3 was completed in 1899, making it 127 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 Clifton No. 3?

Clifton No. 3 serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Clifton No. 3?

Clifton No. 3 has a dam height of 33 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 Clifton No. 3 last inspected?

Clifton No. 3 was last inspected on November 7, 2017. 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.