Gwinns Pond

DRY BRANCH· Richland, South Carolina· Built 1970· 23 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Gwinns Pond is classified as high hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1970 and is 56 years old. Its primary use is fire protection. 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 23 ft (taller than 56.3% in SC)
Max Storage268 acre-ft
Normal Storage158 acre-ft
Surface Area24 acres
Year Completed1970 (56 years old)
NID IDSC00094

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: March 16, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

JOHN C GWINN JR

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Gwinns Pond?

Gwinns Pond 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 Gwinns Pond?

Gwinns Pond is owned by JOHN C GWINN JR (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Gwinns Pond built?

Gwinns Pond was completed in 1970, making it 56 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 Gwinns Pond?

Gwinns Pond serves the following purposes: Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Gwinns Pond?

Gwinns Pond has a dam height of 23 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 Gwinns Pond last inspected?

Gwinns Pond was last inspected on March 16, 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.