Merritts Pond

TR-THREE AND TWENTY CREEK· Pickens, South Carolina· Built 1972· 28 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Merritts Pond is classified as high hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1972 and is 54 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 28 ft (taller than 74.2% in SC)
Max Storage68 acre-ft
Normal Storage48 acre-ft
Surface Area5 acres
Year Completed1972 (54 years old)
NID IDSC00712

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: No
Last Inspection: September 20, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

MATTHEW LEE HINTY AND LAURA ISABELLE LA PRE

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Merritts Pond?

Merritts Pond 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 Merritts Pond?

Merritts Pond is owned by MATTHEW LEE HINTY AND LAURA ISABELLE LA PRE (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Merritts Pond built?

Merritts Pond was completed in 1972, making it 54 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 Merritts Pond?

Merritts Pond 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 Merritts Pond?

Merritts Pond has a dam height of 28 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 Merritts Pond last inspected?

Merritts Pond was last inspected on September 20, 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.