Sterling Lake Pond Dam

EIGHTEENMILE CREEK· Lexington, South Carolina· Built 1971· 32 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Sterling Lake Pond Dam is classified as high hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1971 and is 55 years old. Its primary use is recreation. 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 32 ft (taller than 83.4% in SC)
Max Storage345 acre-ft
Normal Storage220 acre-ft
Surface Area25 acres
Year Completed1971 (55 years old)
NID IDSC00218

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 17, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

STERLING LAKE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Sterling Lake Pond Dam?

Sterling Lake Pond 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 Sterling Lake Pond Dam?

Sterling Lake Pond Dam is owned by STERLING LAKE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Sterling Lake Pond Dam built?

Sterling Lake Pond Dam was completed in 1971, making it 55 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 Sterling Lake Pond Dam?

Sterling Lake Pond 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 Sterling Lake Pond Dam?

Sterling Lake Pond Dam has a dam height of 32 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 Sterling Lake Pond Dam last inspected?

Sterling Lake Pond Dam was last inspected on June 17, 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.