Santee Lakes Dam

TR-BIG POPLAR CREEK· Calhoun, South Carolina· Built 1996· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Santee Lakes Dam is classified as low hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1996 and is 30 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 46.1% in SC)
Max Storage104 acre-ft
Normal Storage49 acre-ft
Surface Area8 acres
Year Completed1996 (30 years old)
NID IDSC02723

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: February 28, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

POPLAR CREEK PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Santee Lakes Dam?

Santee Lakes 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 Santee Lakes Dam?

Santee Lakes Dam is owned by POPLAR CREEK PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Santee Lakes Dam built?

Santee Lakes Dam was completed in 1996, making it 30 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 Santee Lakes Dam?

Santee Lakes Dam serves the following purposes: Irrigation, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Santee Lakes Dam?

Santee Lakes 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 Santee Lakes Dam last inspected?

Santee Lakes Dam was last inspected on February 28, 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.