Lake Jemike Dam 1

YELLOW BRANCH· Oconee, South Carolina· Built 1944· 40 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Lake Jemike Dam 1 is classified as high hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1944 and is 82 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 40 ft (taller than 92.3% in SC)
Max Storage204 acre-ft
Normal Storage144 acre-ft
Surface Area12 acres
Year Completed1944 (82 years old)
NID IDSC00525

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: August 23, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

CLIFF PAYNE

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Jemike Dam 1?

Lake Jemike Dam 1 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 Jemike Dam 1?

Lake Jemike Dam 1 is owned by CLIFF PAYNE (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Jemike Dam 1 built?

Lake Jemike Dam 1 was completed in 1944, making it 82 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 Jemike Dam 1?

Lake Jemike Dam 1 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 Lake Jemike Dam 1?

Lake Jemike Dam 1 has a dam height of 40 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 Jemike Dam 1 last inspected?

Lake Jemike Dam 1 was last inspected on August 23, 2023. 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.