Francis W Caughman Dam

HOLLOW CREEK· Aiken, South Carolina· Built 1938· 17 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Francis W Caughman Dam is classified as low hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1938 and is 88 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 17 ft (taller than 33.8% in SC)
Max Storage138 acre-ft
Normal Storage92 acre-ft
Surface Area23 acres
Year Completed1938 (88 years old)
NID IDSC00315

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: July 25, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

RONALD A CAUGHMAN

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Francis W Caughman Dam?

Francis W Caughman Dam 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 Francis W Caughman Dam?

Francis W Caughman Dam is owned by RONALD A CAUGHMAN (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Francis W Caughman Dam built?

Francis W Caughman Dam was completed in 1938, making it 88 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 Francis W Caughman Dam?

Francis W Caughman 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 Francis W Caughman Dam?

Francis W Caughman 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 Francis W Caughman Dam last inspected?

Francis W Caughman Dam was last inspected on July 25, 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.