Vaucluse Pond Dam

HORSE CREEK· Aiken, South Carolina· Built 1877· 42 ft tall
High Hazard Hydroelectric Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Vaucluse Pond Dam is classified as high hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1877 and is 149 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric. 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 42 ft (taller than 93.6% in SC)
Max Storage1.9K acre-ft
Normal Storage986 acre-ft
Surface Area76 acres
Year Completed1877 (149 years old)
NID IDSC00290

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: July 31, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

BIG CREEK WATERSHED CONSERVATION DISTRICT;GRANITEVILLE RESTORATION PARTNERSHIP LLC

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Vaucluse Pond Dam?

Vaucluse 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 Vaucluse Pond Dam?

Vaucluse Pond Dam is owned by BIG CREEK WATERSHED CONSERVATION DISTRICT;GRANITEVILLE RESTORATION PARTNERSHIP LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Vaucluse Pond Dam built?

Vaucluse Pond Dam was completed in 1877, making it 149 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 Vaucluse Pond Dam?

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

How tall is Vaucluse Pond Dam?

Vaucluse Pond Dam has a dam height of 42 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 Vaucluse Pond Dam last inspected?

Vaucluse Pond Dam was last inspected on July 31, 2023. 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.