Orchards Dam

TR-SUGAR CREEK· York, South Carolina· 15 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Orchards Dam is classified as high hazard in South Carolina. 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	15 ft (taller than 23.6% in SC)
Max Storage	22 acre-ft
Normal Storage	0 acre-ft

NID ID	SC03534

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 23, 2022

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

CAROLINA ORCHARDS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Private

Nearby Dams

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Forest Lake Dam

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Lake Frances Dam

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Lake Crandall Dam

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Crystal Springs Lake Dam

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Lake Haigler Dam

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Arrowood Quarry Dam

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Lake Patricia Dam

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Orchards Dam?

Orchards 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 Orchards Dam?

Orchards Dam is owned by CAROLINA ORCHARDS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Orchards Dam?

Orchards 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 Orchards Dam?

Orchards Dam has a dam height of 15 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 Orchards Dam last inspected?

Orchards Dam was last inspected on September 23, 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.