Royal Lake Dam

HOLLOW CREEK· Aiken, South Carolina· Built 1990· 29 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Royal Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1990 and is 36 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 29 ft (taller than 77.1% in SC)
Max Storage200 acre-ft
Normal Storage54 acre-ft
Surface Area9 acres
Year Completed1990 (36 years old)
NID IDSC02566

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 22, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

WOODSIDE PLANTATION PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Royal Lake Dam?

Royal 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 Royal Lake Dam?

Royal Lake Dam is owned by WOODSIDE PLANTATION PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Royal Lake Dam built?

Royal Lake Dam was completed in 1990, making it 36 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 Royal Lake Dam?

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

How tall is Royal Lake Dam?

Royal Lake Dam has a dam height of 29 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 Royal Lake Dam last inspected?

Royal Lake Dam was last inspected on June 22, 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.