Lake Oakdale Dam

MIDDLE SWAMP· Florence, South Carolina· Built 1955· 14 ft tall
Significant Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Lake Oakdale Dam is classified as significant hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1955 and is 71 years old. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 14 ft (taller than 19.3% in SC)
Max Storage560 acre-ft
Normal Storage320 acre-ft
Surface Area80 acres
Year Completed1955 (71 years old)
NID IDSC00234

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: March 11, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

CLAUSSEN DEVELOPERS LLC;LAKE OAKDALE AND DAM HOLDINGS LLC

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Oakdale Dam?

Lake Oakdale Dam is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Lake Oakdale Dam?

Lake Oakdale Dam is owned by CLAUSSEN DEVELOPERS LLC;LAKE OAKDALE AND DAM HOLDINGS LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Oakdale Dam built?

Lake Oakdale Dam was completed in 1955, making it 71 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 Oakdale Dam?

Lake Oakdale 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 Lake Oakdale Dam?

Lake Oakdale Dam has a dam height of 14 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 Oakdale Dam last inspected?

Lake Oakdale Dam was last inspected on March 11, 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.