Lake Saranac Dam

MINERAL SPRING BRANCH· Spartanburg, South Carolina· 39 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Lake Saranac Dam is classified as low hazard in South Carolina. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 39 ft (taller than 91.5% in SC)
Max Storage304 acre-ft
Normal Storage120 acre-ft
Surface Area15 acres
NID IDSC00751

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

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

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: October 15, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

SARANAC LAKE ASSOCIATION INC

Private

Nearby Dams

Keller Pond Dam

Spartanburg, SC

Low Hazard 43 ft

Hillbrook Forest Lake Dam

Spartanburg, SC

High Hazard 35 ft

Clifton No. 3

Spartanburg, SC

Low Hazard 33 ft

Henry Jacobs Dam

Spartanburg, SC

Significant Hazard 25 ft

Calhoun Lakes Dam 1

Spartanburg, SC

Low Hazard 15 ft

Pierce Dam

Spartanburg, SC

Significant Hazard 27 ft

Clifton Mills Pond 1 Dam

Spartanburg, SC

Low Hazard 19 ft

Calhoun Lakes Dam 2

Spartanburg, SC

Low Hazard 28 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Saranac Dam?

Lake Saranac Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Lake Saranac Dam?

Lake Saranac Dam is owned by SARANAC LAKE ASSOCIATION INC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Lake Saranac Dam?

Lake Saranac 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 Saranac Dam?

Lake Saranac Dam has a dam height of 39 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 Saranac Dam last inspected?

Lake Saranac Dam was last inspected on October 15, 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.