Finleys Lake Dam
Finleys Lake Dam is a dam located in Pickens County, South Carolina, built in 1956. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Finleys Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Finleys Lake 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 Bradley Illing;william Fischer (private). It impounds the Tr-north Fork Twelvemile Creek.
The dam stands 48 feet tall, creates a reservoir covering 10 acres, and has a maximum storage capacity of 174 acre-feet. Completed in 1956, 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 03/21/2024.
At 48 feet, this dam is taller than 92% of dams nationwide.
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 | Pickens |
| River/Stream | Tr-north Fork Twelvemile Creek |
| Coordinates | 34.96440, -82.70700 |
Physical Characteristics
| NID Height | 48 ft |
| Dam Height | 48 ft |
| Year Completed | 1956 (70 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 174 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 174 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 144 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 10 acres |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | BRADLEY ILLING;WILLIAM FISCHER |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 03/21/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | SCD01950 |
| Federal ID | SCD01950 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |