Ophelias Dam

TR-BROAD RIVER· Union, South Carolina· Built 1800· 48 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Ophelias Dam is classified as low hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1800 and is 226 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 48 ft (taller than 96% in SC)
Max Storage50 acre-ft
Normal Storage16 acre-ft
Surface Area2 acres
Year Completed1800 (226 years old)
NID IDSC02257

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: September 18, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

THOMAS AND CYNTHIA WEATHERS

Private

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Reno Lake Dam

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Lake John D Long

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Ophelias Dam?

Ophelias Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Ophelias Dam?

Ophelias Dam is owned by THOMAS AND CYNTHIA WEATHERS (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Ophelias Dam built?

Ophelias Dam was completed in 1800, making it 226 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 Ophelias Dam?

Ophelias 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 Ophelias Dam?

Ophelias Dam has a dam height of 48 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 Ophelias Dam last inspected?

Ophelias Dam was last inspected on September 18, 2017. 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.