Columbia Embankment And Canal Spillway
Columbia Embankment And Canal Spillway is an earth dam located in Richland County, South Carolina, built in 1882. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a unsatisfactory condition assessment.
About Columbia Embankment And Canal Spillway
The primary purpose of Columbia Embankment And Canal Spillway is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by City Of Columbia (public utility). It impounds the Broad near Columbia.
The dam stands 8 feet tall and stretches 18,480 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 265 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 800 acre-feet. Completed in 1882, the structure is over a century 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 unsatisfactory, indicating serious safety deficiencies exist that require immediate attention or remedial action. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 06/26/2025.
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Location
| State | South Carolina |
| County | Richland |
| Nearest City | Columbia |
| River/Stream | Broad |
| Coordinates | 34.01446, -81.05972 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 8 ft |
| Dam Height | 8 ft |
| Dam Length | 18,480 ft |
| Year Completed | 1882 (144 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 800 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 800 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 800 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 265 acres |
| Max Discharge | 840 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | City of Columbia |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Unsatisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 06/26/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | SC01065 |
| Federal ID | SC01065S002 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |