Joseph Headden Dam

TR-NORTH FORK EDISTO RIVER· Orangeburg, South Carolina· 16 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Joseph Headden Dam is classified as high hazard in South Carolina. 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 16 ft (taller than 28.8% in SC)
Max Storage65 acre-ft
Normal Storage51 acre-ft
Surface Area8 acres
NID IDSC02438

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 19, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

RUSCON D HEADDEN

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Joseph Headden Dam?

Joseph Headden 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 Joseph Headden Dam?

Joseph Headden Dam is owned by RUSCON D HEADDEN (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Joseph Headden Dam?

Joseph Headden 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 Joseph Headden Dam?

Joseph Headden Dam has a dam height of 16 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 Joseph Headden Dam last inspected?

Joseph Headden Dam was last inspected on October 19, 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.