Don Taylor Dam

TR-HORSEPEN CREEK· Kershaw, South Carolina· Built 1972· 19 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Don Taylor Dam is classified as high hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1972 and is 54 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 19 ft (taller than 41.8% in SC)
Max Storage167 acre-ft
Normal Storage113 acre-ft
Surface Area12 acres
Year Completed1972 (54 years old)
NID IDSC00487

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: No
Last Inspection: March 23, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

DON E TAYLOR & ASSOC REALTY COMPANY INC;DON E TAYLOR TRUSTEE

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Don Taylor Dam?

Don Taylor 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 Don Taylor Dam?

Don Taylor Dam is owned by DON E TAYLOR & ASSOC REALTY COMPANY INC;DON E TAYLOR TRUSTEE (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Don Taylor Dam built?

Don Taylor Dam was completed in 1972, making it 54 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 Don Taylor Dam?

Don Taylor 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 Don Taylor Dam?

Don Taylor Dam has a dam height of 19 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 Don Taylor Dam last inspected?

Don Taylor Dam was last inspected on March 23, 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.