Ridgely Lake Dam
Key Takeaway
Ridgely Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1951 and is 75 years old. Its primary use is fire protection. 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 | 20 ft (taller than 46.1% in SC) |
| Max Storage | 86 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 56 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 8 acres |
| Year Completed | 1951 (75 years old) |
| NID ID | SC01314 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
GORMAN C RIDGELY JR AND DONNA PAGE RIDGELY COTRUSTEES
Private
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What is the hazard classification of Ridgely Lake Dam?
Ridgely 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 Ridgely Lake Dam?
Ridgely Lake Dam is owned by GORMAN C RIDGELY JR AND DONNA PAGE RIDGELY COTRUSTEES (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Ridgely Lake Dam built?
Ridgely Lake Dam was completed in 1951, making it 75 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 Ridgely Lake Dam?
Ridgely Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
How tall is Ridgely Lake Dam?
Ridgely Lake Dam has a dam height of 20 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 Ridgely Lake Dam last inspected?
Ridgely Lake Dam was last inspected on October 11, 2021. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.