Mountain Lake Dam
Key Takeaway
Mountain Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1889 and is 137 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 Storage | 53 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 46 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 4 acres |
| Year Completed | 1889 (137 years old) |
| NID ID | SC01755 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
SC DEPARTMENT OF PARKS RECREATION AND TOURISM
State Government
Nearby Dams
Kaufman Pond Dam 1
Greenville, SC
Low Hazard 28 ftBurkhorn Sanctuary Dam
Greenville, SC
Unknown 19 ftParis Mountain Reservoir 3
Greenville, SC
High Hazard 50 ftSteve Wingard Dam
Greenville, SC
High Hazard 28 ftLake Placid Dam
Greenville, SC
High Hazard 28 ftCardinal Lake Dam
Greenville, SC
High Hazard 22 ftHarry Hill Pond Dam
Greenville, SC
Low Hazard 26 ftHalf Mile Lake Dam
Greenville, SC
High Hazard 27 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Mountain Lake Dam?
Mountain Lake Dam 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 Mountain Lake Dam?
Mountain Lake Dam is owned by SC DEPARTMENT OF PARKS RECREATION AND TOURISM (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Mountain Lake Dam built?
Mountain Lake Dam was completed in 1889, making it 137 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 Mountain Lake Dam?
Mountain Lake 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 Mountain Lake Dam?
Mountain Lake Dam 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 Mountain Lake Dam last inspected?
Mountain Lake Dam was last inspected on August 26, 2021. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.