Thrift Brothers Dam

TR-CHAUGA RIVER· Oconee, South Carolina· Built 1970· 43 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Thrift Brothers Dam is classified as low hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1970 and is 56 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 43 ft (taller than 94.1% in SC)
Max Storage118 acre-ft
Normal Storage102 acre-ft
Surface Area8 acres
Year Completed1970 (56 years old)
NID IDSC00537

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 24, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

JEFF SADLER

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Thrift Brothers Dam?

Thrift Brothers 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 Thrift Brothers Dam?

Thrift Brothers Dam is owned by JEFF SADLER (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Thrift Brothers Dam built?

Thrift Brothers Dam was completed in 1970, making it 56 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 Thrift Brothers Dam?

Thrift Brothers 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 Thrift Brothers Dam?

Thrift Brothers Dam has a dam height of 43 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 Thrift Brothers Dam last inspected?

Thrift Brothers Dam was last inspected on April 24, 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.