Weston Lake

Cedar Creek· Richland, South Carolina· Built 1971· Earth· 43 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Weston Lake 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 43 ft (taller than 94.1% in SC)
Dam Length1,400 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage8.6K acre-ft
Normal Storage4.1K acre-ft
Surface Area256 acres
Drainage Area10 sq mi
Max Discharge8,400 cfs
Year Completed1971 (55 years old)
NID IDSC00233

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: March 24, 2021
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Fort Jackson

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Weston Lake?

Weston Lake 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 Weston Lake?

Weston Lake is owned by Fort Jackson (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Weston Lake built?

Weston Lake 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 Weston Lake?

Weston Lake 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 Weston Lake?

Weston Lake 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 Weston Lake last inspected?

Weston Lake was last inspected on March 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.