Swan Lake Dam

SHOT POUCH BRANCH· Sumter, South Carolina· Built 1800· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Swan Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1800 and is 226 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 11% in SC)
Max Storage73 acre-ft
Normal Storage47 acre-ft
Surface Area13 acres
Year Completed1800 (226 years old)
NID IDSC01425

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: April 19, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

CITY OF SUMTER

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Second Millpond Dam

Sumter, SC

High Hazard 17 ft

Lower Deerfield Lake Dam

Sumter, SC

Significant Hazard 14 ft

Upper Deerfield Lake Dam

Sumter, SC

Significant Hazard 11 ft

Mathis Pond Dam

Sumter, SC

Significant Hazard 12 ft

Dubose Pond Dam

Sumter, SC

High Hazard 10 ft

Loring Millpond Dam

Sumter, SC

Significant Hazard 10 ft

Sawmill Pond Dam

Sumter, SC

Low Hazard 11 ft

Cains Millpond Dam

Sumter, SC

Significant Hazard 9 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Swan Lake Dam?

Swan Lake 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 Swan Lake Dam?

Swan Lake Dam is owned by CITY OF SUMTER (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Swan Lake Dam built?

Swan Lake Dam was completed in 1800, making it 226 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 Swan Lake Dam?

Swan Lake 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 Swan Lake Dam?

Swan Lake Dam has a dam height of 12 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 Swan Lake Dam last inspected?

Swan Lake Dam was last inspected on April 19, 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.