O'Neal Miller Dam

BIG BRANCH· Aiken, South Carolina· Built 1955· 31 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

O'Neal Miller Dam is classified as high hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1955 and is 71 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 31 ft (taller than 81.4% in SC)
Max Storage284 acre-ft
Normal Storage158 acre-ft
Surface Area13 acres
Year Completed1955 (71 years old)
NID IDSC00331

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: October 12, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

MICHAEL MILLER

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of O'Neal Miller Dam?

O'Neal Miller 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 O'Neal Miller Dam?

O'Neal Miller Dam is owned by MICHAEL MILLER (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was O'Neal Miller Dam built?

O'Neal Miller Dam was completed in 1955, making it 71 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 O'Neal Miller Dam?

O'Neal Miller 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 O'Neal Miller Dam?

O'Neal Miller Dam has a dam height of 31 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 O'Neal Miller Dam last inspected?

O'Neal Miller Dam was last inspected on October 12, 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.