Sandhill Rec Pond Dam
Sandhill Rec Pond Dam is a dam located in Richland County, South Carolina, built in 1955. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Sandhill Rec Pond Dam
The primary purpose of Sandhill Rec Pond Dam is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Clemson University (state). It impounds the Sandy Branch.
The dam stands 31 feet tall, creates a reservoir covering 25 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 305 acre-feet. Completed in 1955, 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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 12/12/2024.
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 | Richland |
| River/Stream | Sandy Branch |
| Coordinates | 34.13700, -80.86470 |
Physical Characteristics
| NID Height | 31 ft |
| Dam Height | 31 ft |
| Year Completed | 1955 (71 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 305 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 305 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 280 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 25 acres |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | CLEMSON UNIVERSITY |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 12/12/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | SCD00553 |
| Federal ID | SCD00553 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |