Large Upper Mtn Lake

BEAR BRANCH· Chester, South Carolina· Built 1945· 20 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Large Upper Mtn Lake is classified as high hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1945 and is 81 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 20 ft (taller than 46.1% in SC)
Max Storage780 acre-ft
Normal Storage625 acre-ft
Surface Area50 acres
Year Completed1945 (81 years old)
NID IDSC01169

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: November 10, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

SC DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Large Upper Mtn Lake?

Large Upper Mtn Lake 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 Large Upper Mtn Lake?

Large Upper Mtn Lake is owned by SC DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Large Upper Mtn Lake built?

Large Upper Mtn Lake was completed in 1945, making it 81 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 Large Upper Mtn Lake?

Large Upper Mtn Lake 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 Large Upper Mtn Lake?

Large Upper Mtn Lake has a dam height of 20 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 Large Upper Mtn Lake last inspected?

Large Upper Mtn Lake was last inspected on November 10, 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.