Ware Shoals
Ware Shoals is a gravity dam located in Greenwood County, South Carolina, built in 1905. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a unsatisfactory condition assessment.
About Ware Shoals
The primary purpose of Ware Shoals 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 Aquenergy Systems, Llc (private). It impounds the Saluda River near Lake Shores.
The dam stands 24 feet tall and stretches 641 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 40 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 484 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 564 square miles. Completed in 1905, 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 03/11/2026.
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Location
| State | South Carolina |
| County | Greenwood |
| Nearest City | Lake Shores |
| River/Stream | Saluda River |
| Coordinates | 34.40407, -82.24490 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 24 ft |
| Dam Height | 24 ft |
| Dam Length | 641.8 ft |
| Year Completed | 1905 (121 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 484 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 484 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 320 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 40 acres |
| Drainage Area | 564 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 31,550 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Aquenergy Systems, LLC |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Unsatisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 03/11/2026 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | SC01067 |
| Federal ID | SC01067 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |