Whetstone Fishing Lake

SUCKSAND BRANCH· Orangeburg, South Carolina· Built 1958· 12 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Whetstone Fishing Lake is classified as high hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1958 and is 68 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 12 ft (taller than 11% in SC)
Max Storage78 acre-ft
Normal Storage35 acre-ft
Surface Area11 acres
Year Completed1958 (68 years old)
NID IDSC02133

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: January 10, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

WESLEY W ZISSETT AND PAMELA D ZISSETT

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Whetstone Fishing Lake?

Whetstone Fishing 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 Whetstone Fishing Lake?

Whetstone Fishing Lake is owned by WESLEY W ZISSETT AND PAMELA D ZISSETT (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Whetstone Fishing Lake built?

Whetstone Fishing Lake was completed in 1958, making it 68 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 Whetstone Fishing Lake?

Whetstone Fishing 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 Whetstone Fishing Lake?

Whetstone Fishing Lake 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 Whetstone Fishing Lake last inspected?

Whetstone Fishing Lake was last inspected on January 10, 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.