J W Corley Dam

HORSEPEN CREEK· Lexington, South Carolina· Built 1900· 15 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

J W Corley Dam is classified as high hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1900 and is 126 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	15 ft (taller than 23.6% in SC)
Max Storage	53 acre-ft
Normal Storage	33 acre-ft

Surface Area	6 acres
Year Completed	1900 (126 years old)
NID ID	SC00201

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: July 29, 2022

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

SAMUEL E AND SARAH J BRILEY

Private

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Shirley and Fred Specht Dam 2

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Shirley and Fred Specht Dam 1

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Shealy Pond Dam

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Florence T Hall Dam

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Walter and Susan Shealy Dam

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of J W Corley Dam?

J W Corley 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 J W Corley Dam?

J W Corley Dam is owned by SAMUEL E AND SARAH J BRILEY (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was J W Corley Dam built?

J W Corley 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 J W Corley Dam?

J W Corley 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 J W Corley Dam?

J W Corley Dam has a dam height of 15 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 J W Corley Dam last inspected?

J W Corley Dam was last inspected on July 29, 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.