Poinsett State Park Lake Dam

SHANKS CREEK· Sumter, South Carolina· Built 1841· 16 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Poinsett State Park Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1841 and is 185 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 16 ft (taller than 28.8% in SC)
Max Storage83 acre-ft
Normal Storage57 acre-ft
Surface Area13 acres
Year Completed1841 (185 years old)
NID IDSC01444

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: April 21, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

SC DEPARTMENT OF PARKS RECREATION AND TOURISM

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Poinsett State Park Lake Dam?

Poinsett State Park Lake 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 Poinsett State Park Lake Dam?

Poinsett State Park 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 Poinsett State Park Lake Dam built?

Poinsett State Park Lake Dam was completed in 1841, making it 185 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 Poinsett State Park Lake Dam?

Poinsett State Park 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 Poinsett State Park Lake Dam?

Poinsett State Park Lake 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 Poinsett State Park Lake Dam last inspected?

Poinsett State Park Lake Dam was last inspected on April 21, 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.