Prestwood Lake Dam

BLACK CREEK· Darlington, South Carolina· Built 1895· 15 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Water Supply Private

Key Takeaway

Prestwood Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1895 and is 131 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 15 ft (taller than 23.6% in SC)
Max Storage4.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage911 acre-ft
Surface Area218 acres
Year Completed1895 (131 years old)
NID IDSC00611

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: June 20, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Prestwood Lake Dam?

Prestwood Lake 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 Prestwood Lake Dam?

Prestwood Lake Dam is owned by SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Prestwood Lake Dam built?

Prestwood Lake Dam was completed in 1895, making it 131 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 Prestwood Lake Dam?

Prestwood Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Prestwood Lake Dam?

Prestwood Lake 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 Prestwood Lake Dam last inspected?

Prestwood Lake Dam was last inspected on June 20, 2023. 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.