Hickory Nut Lower Dam

About Hickory Nut Lower Dam

The primary purpose of Hickory Nut Lower Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Riverbend Property Owners Assc., Inc. (private). It impounds the Broad River near Cliffside.

The dam stands 48 feet tall and stretches 250 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 12 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 240 acre-feet. Completed in 1974, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.

This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 02/10/2023.

At 48 feet, this dam is taller than 92% of dams nationwide.

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