Silver Lake Dam

TOMS BRANCH· Lexington, South Carolina· Built 1938· 11 ft tall
High Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Silver Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1938 and is 88 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond. 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 11 ft (taller than 8.3% in SC)
Max Storage105 acre-ft
Normal Storage80 acre-ft
Surface Area20 acres
Year Completed1938 (88 years old)
NID IDSC00180

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: February 24, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

OLD WIRE ROAD PARADISE LLC

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Silver Lake Dam?

Silver 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 Silver Lake Dam?

Silver Lake Dam is owned by OLD WIRE ROAD PARADISE LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Silver Lake Dam built?

Silver Lake Dam was completed in 1938, making it 88 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 Silver Lake Dam?

Silver Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Silver Lake Dam?

Silver Lake Dam has a dam height of 11 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 Silver Lake Dam last inspected?

Silver Lake Dam was last inspected on February 24, 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.