Lancaster County Waterworks Dam
Lancaster County Waterworks Dam is a dam located in Lancaster County, South Carolina, built in 1962. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Lancaster County Waterworks Dam
The primary purpose of Lancaster County Waterworks Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Lancaster Water Sewer District Commission;sc Department Of Natural Resources (local government). It impounds the Bear Creek.
The dam stands 16 feet tall, creates a reservoir covering 90 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 1,125 acre-feet. Completed in 1962, 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. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. Notably, no emergency action plan is currently on file for this high-hazard dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/05/2023.
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 | Lancaster |
| River/Stream | Bear Creek |
| Coordinates | 34.70160, -80.75390 |
Physical Characteristics
| NID Height | 16 ft |
| Dam Height | 16 ft |
| Year Completed | 1962 (64 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,125 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,125 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 725 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 90 acres |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | LANCASTER WATER SEWER DISTRICT COMMISSION;SC DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 09/05/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | SCD01762 |
| Federal ID | SCD01762 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |