Praters Creek Dam

PRATERS CREEK· Pickens, South Carolina· Built 1956· 49 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Private

Key Takeaway

Praters Creek Dam is classified as high hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1956 and is 70 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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 49 ft (taller than 96.3% in SC)
Max Storage550 acre-ft
Normal Storage50 acre-ft
Surface Area6 acres
Year Completed1956 (70 years old)
NID IDSC01377

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: March 7, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

BENJAMIN T ANRITT;KEVIN C NATIONS;PICKENS COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Praters Creek Dam?

Praters Creek 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 Praters Creek Dam?

Praters Creek Dam is owned by BENJAMIN T ANRITT;KEVIN C NATIONS;PICKENS COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Praters Creek Dam built?

Praters Creek Dam was completed in 1956, making it 70 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 Praters Creek Dam?

Praters Creek Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Praters Creek Dam?

Praters Creek Dam has a dam height of 49 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 Praters Creek Dam last inspected?

Praters Creek Dam was last inspected on March 7, 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.