Leonidas Dam, also known as Craven Creek Upper Dam, is a private-owned structure located in Oconee, South Carolina.
Wind
Humidity
Built in 1960 by the USDA NRCS, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 21 feet and stretches 124 feet in length. Its primary purpose is for recreation, offering a serene environment for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy.
Managed by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), Leonidas Dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state agency. While the dam is considered to have a fair condition assessment as of September 2019, its Hazard Potential is classified as high, with a moderate risk assessment score. Despite these factors, the dam continues to provide a storage capacity of 126 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 96 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 15 acres along the Craven Creek.
With its uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, Leonidas Dam offers a unique recreational opportunity for visitors in the area. Although it presents certain risks due to its hazard potential, the dam remains a significant feature in the Nashville District, providing a picturesque setting for water enthusiasts and nature lovers alike to appreciate and explore.
Year Completed |
1960 |
Dam Length |
124 |
Dam Height |
21 |
River Or Stream |
CRAVEN CREEK |
Primary Dam Type |
Earth |
Surface Area |
15 |
Nid Storage |
126 |
Outlet Gates |
Uncontrolled |
Hazard Potential |
High |
Foundations |
Soil |
Nid Height |
21 |
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Devils Fork State Park
|
||
Cherry Hill Recreation Area
|
||
Oconee State Park
|
||
Sandy Beach Campsite
|
||
Burrells Ford
|
||
Keowee - Toxaway State Natural Area
|
Beginning Just Upstream Of Townes Creek,Wash Branch And Crane Creek To Confluence With Kings Creek
Headwaters Just East Of Hwy 107 To Crossing Of Norton Field Road (Fs 715A)
Sloan'S Bridge Crossing To 1/4 Mile Above The Walhalla Fish Hatchery
1/4 Mile Above The Walhalla Fish Hatchery To 1/4 Mile Below The Walhalla Fish Hatchery
Headwaters To Sloan'S Bridge Crossing, Crossing Of Sc 107
1/4 Mile Below Walhalla Fish Hatchery To Boundary Of Chattooga Wsr