Fred Richards Dam

TR-CHEROKEE CREEK· Cherokee, South Carolina· Built 1996· 31 ft tall
Low Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Fred Richards Dam is classified as low hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1996 and is 30 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction.

Physical Details

Dam Height 31 ft (taller than 81.4% in SC)
Max Storage30 acre-ft
Normal Storage19 acre-ft
Surface Area2 acres
Year Completed1996 (30 years old)
NID IDSC02726

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: August 30, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

BRANDON AND CAROL MOORE

Private

Nearby Dams

Lake Whelchel

Cherokee, SC

High Hazard 73 ft

Gaston Shoals Lower

Cherokee, SC

Significant Hazard 62 ft

Lake Cherokee Dam

Cherokee, SC

High Hazard 40 ft

D C Hughey Dam

Cherokee, SC

Low Hazard 30 ft

Country Club Pond Dam

Cherokee, SC

High Hazard 40 ft

Cherokee Falls

Cherokee, SC

Significant Hazard 16 ft

Shrine Club Lake Dam

Cherokee, SC

Low Hazard 30 ft

Jerry Phillips Dam

Cherokee, SC

Low Hazard 27 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Fred Richards Dam?

Fred Richards 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 Fred Richards Dam?

Fred Richards Dam is owned by BRANDON AND CAROL MOORE (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Fred Richards Dam built?

Fred Richards Dam was completed in 1996, making it 30 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 Fred Richards Dam?

Fred Richards 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 Fred Richards Dam?

Fred Richards Dam has a dam height of 31 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 Fred Richards Dam last inspected?

Fred Richards Dam was last inspected on August 30, 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.