Clemson Upper Diversion Dam
Clemson Upper Diversion Dam is an earth dam located in Oconee County, South Carolina, built in 1961. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Clemson Upper Diversion Dam
The primary purpose of Clemson Upper Diversion Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Usace - Savannah District (federal). It impounds the Seneca River near Clemson.
The dam stands 75 feet tall and stretches 2,100 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,438,700 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2,088 square miles. Completed in 1961, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 06/07/2022.
At 75 feet, this dam is taller than 97% of all dams in the United States.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The South Carolina dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | South Carolina |
| County | Oconee |
| Nearest City | Clemson |
| River/Stream | Seneca River |
| Coordinates | 34.68199, -82.85112 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 75 ft |
| Dam Height | 75 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,100 ft |
| Year Completed | 1961 (65 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,438,700 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,438,700 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2,550,000 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 2,088 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | USACE - Savannah District |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 06/07/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | SC02753 |
| Federal ID | SC02753 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |