Lake Cunningham Dam

SOUTH TYGER RIVER· Greenville, South Carolina· Built 1956· 24 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Lake Cunningham Dam is classified as high hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1956 and is 70 years old. Its primary use is water supply. 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 24 ft (taller than 59.6% in SC)
Max Storage3.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage630 acre-ft
Surface Area402 acres
Year Completed1956 (70 years old)
NID IDSC00002

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: January 10, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

GREER COMMISSION OF PUBLIC WORKS

Public Utility

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Cunningham Dam?

Lake Cunningham 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 Lake Cunningham Dam?

Lake Cunningham Dam is owned by GREER COMMISSION OF PUBLIC WORKS (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Cunningham Dam built?

Lake Cunningham Dam was completed in 1956, making it 70 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 Lake Cunningham Dam?

Lake Cunningham Dam serves the following purposes: Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Lake Cunningham Dam?

Lake Cunningham Dam has a dam height of 24 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 Lake Cunningham Dam last inspected?

Lake Cunningham Dam was last inspected on January 10, 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.