Norris Dam

TR-HURRICANE BRANCH· Darlington, South Carolina· Built 1958· 16 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Norris Dam is classified as high hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1958 and is 68 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 16 ft (taller than 28.8% in SC)
Max Storage141 acre-ft
Normal Storage90 acre-ft
Surface Area17 acres
Year Completed1958 (68 years old)
NID IDSC00618

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: January 12, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

JOSEPH AND KAY NORRIS

Private

Nearby Dams

Cribbs Pond Dam

Darlington, SC

Low Hazard 17 ft

Goodson Pond Dam

Darlington, SC

Unknown 14 ft

Coxe Pond Dam

Darlington, SC

Low Hazard 14 ft

Purvis Pond Dam

Darlington, SC

Low Hazard 12 ft

Jeffords Pond Dam

Darlington, SC

Low Hazard 18 ft

Atkinson Pond Dam

Darlington, SC

Low Hazard 13 ft

Dargen Pond Dam

Darlington, SC

Low Hazard 14 ft

Lake Redwing Dam

Darlington, SC

Low Hazard 11 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Norris Dam?

Norris 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 Norris Dam?

Norris Dam is owned by JOSEPH AND KAY NORRIS (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Norris Dam built?

Norris Dam was completed in 1958, making it 68 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 Norris Dam?

Norris 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 Norris Dam?

Norris Dam has a dam height of 16 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 Norris Dam last inspected?

Norris Dam was last inspected on January 12, 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.