Upper York Reservoir Dam

ROSS BRANCH· York, South Carolina· Built 1926· 20 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Upper York Reservoir Dam is classified as high hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1926 and is 100 years old. Its primary use is water supply. 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 20 ft (taller than 46.1% in SC)
Max Storage190 acre-ft
Normal Storage159 acre-ft
Surface Area16 acres
Year Completed1926 (100 years old)
NID IDSC00665

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: September 24, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

CITY OF YORK

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Upper York Reservoir Dam?

Upper York Reservoir 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 Upper York Reservoir Dam?

Upper York Reservoir Dam is owned by CITY OF YORK (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Upper York Reservoir Dam built?

Upper York Reservoir Dam was completed in 1926, making it 100 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 Upper York Reservoir Dam?

Upper York Reservoir Dam serves the following purposes: Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Upper York Reservoir Dam?

Upper York Reservoir Dam has a dam height of 20 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 Upper York Reservoir Dam last inspected?

Upper York Reservoir Dam was last inspected on September 24, 2021. 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.