Clifton No. 3 is a gravity dam located in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, built in 1899. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 33 ft33 ft tall and 375 ft long, taller than 76% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic concrete gravity section and the water level is illustrative.
About Clifton No. 3
The primary purpose of Clifton No. 3 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 Converse Energy Corporation (private). It impounds the Pacolet River near Converse.
The dam stands 33 feet tall and stretches 375 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 20 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 250 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 318 square miles. Completed in 1899, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 11/07/2017.
At 33 feet, this dam is taller than 76% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | South Carolina |
| County | Spartanburg |
| Nearest City | Converse |
| River/Stream | Pacolet River |
| Coordinates | 34.99515, -81.83390 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 33 ft |
| Dam Height | 33 ft |
| Dam Length | 375 ft |
| Year Completed | 1899 (127 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 250 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 250 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 250 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 20 acres |
| Drainage Area | 318 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 60,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Converse Energy Corporation |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 11/07/2017 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | SC01063 |
| Federal ID | SC01063 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |