St. Stephen Powerhouse Dam
Key Takeaway
St. Stephen Powerhouse Dam is classified as high hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1985 and is 41 years old. Its primary use is navigation. 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 | 128 ft (taller than 99.6% in SC) |
| Dam Length | 965 ft |
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| Max Storage | 1.4M acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1.1M acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 0 acres |
| Drainage Area | 15,000 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 24,500 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1985 (41 years old) |
| NID ID | SC82201 |
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
USACE - Charleston District
Federal Government
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What is the hazard classification of St. Stephen Powerhouse Dam?
St. Stephen Powerhouse 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 St. Stephen Powerhouse Dam?
St. Stephen Powerhouse Dam is owned by USACE - Charleston District (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was St. Stephen Powerhouse Dam built?
St. Stephen Powerhouse Dam was completed in 1985, making it 41 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 St. Stephen Powerhouse Dam?
St. Stephen Powerhouse Dam serves the following purposes: Navigation, Fish And Wildlife Pond, Recreation, Hydroelectric, Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
How tall is St. Stephen Powerhouse Dam?
St. Stephen Powerhouse Dam has a dam height of 128 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 St. Stephen Powerhouse Dam last inspected?
St. Stephen Powerhouse Dam was last inspected on February 22, 2023. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.