Starnes/Brown Dam

GIDDY SWAMP CREEK· Aiken, South Carolina· Built 1960· 17 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Starnes/Brown Dam is classified as low hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1960 and is 66 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 17 ft (taller than 33.8% in SC)
Max Storage264 acre-ft
Normal Storage144 acre-ft
Surface Area15 acres
Year Completed1960 (66 years old)
NID IDSC00377

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: July 31, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

JOHN A BROWN AND JOAN B WALLING

Private

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Malcolm B Rawls Dam

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Bignon Pond Dam

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Gantts Pond Dam

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O'Neal Miller Dam

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Stone Dam

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Starnes/Brown Dam?

Starnes/Brown 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 Starnes/Brown Dam?

Starnes/Brown Dam is owned by JOHN A BROWN AND JOAN B WALLING (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Starnes/Brown Dam built?

Starnes/Brown Dam was completed in 1960, making it 66 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 Starnes/Brown Dam?

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

How tall is Starnes/Brown Dam?

Starnes/Brown Dam has a dam height of 17 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 Starnes/Brown Dam last inspected?

Starnes/Brown Dam was last inspected on July 31, 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.