Forest Lake Dam

GILLS CREEK· Richland, South Carolina· Built 1900· 22 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Forest Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1900 and is 126 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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 22 ft (taller than 52.9% in SC)
Max Storage1.5K acre-ft
Normal Storage730 acre-ft
Surface Area129 acres
Year Completed1900 (126 years old)
NID IDSC00048

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: October 20, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

FOREST LAKE PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION INC

Private

Nearby Dams

Spring Lake Dam

Richland, SC

High Hazard 14 ft

Rocky Ford Lake Dam

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High Hazard 17 ft

North Lake Dam

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High Hazard 13 ft

Lake Katherine Dam

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High Hazard 15 ft

Carys Lake Dam

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High Hazard 21 ft

Semmes Lake

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Significant Hazard 22 ft

Arcadia Woods Lake Dam

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Upper Legion Lake

Richland, SC

Low Hazard 12 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Forest Lake Dam?

Forest 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 Forest Lake Dam?

Forest Lake Dam is owned by FOREST LAKE PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION INC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Forest Lake Dam built?

Forest Lake Dam was completed in 1900, making it 126 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 Forest Lake Dam?

Forest Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Forest Lake Dam?

Forest Lake Dam has a dam height of 22 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 Forest Lake Dam last inspected?

Forest Lake Dam was last inspected on October 20, 2021. 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.