Chatham Lake Dam, located in Chesterfield, South Carolina, is a privately owned earth dam built in 1978 for recreational purposes. Standing at a height of 17 feet and stretching 805 feet in length, this dam has a storage capacity of 53 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 35 acre-feet. The dam sits on Thompson Creek and is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), with state inspections and enforcement ensuring its safety and compliance.

Despite its picturesque recreational setting, Chatham Lake Dam poses a high hazard potential according to the latest inspection in October 2020, which rated its condition as poor. The dam lacks certain safety features such as spillways and outlet gates, raising concerns about its ability to handle maximum discharge levels. Emergency action plans are yet to be prepared or updated, indicating a need for improved risk management measures to address potential inundation risks. The dam's hazard potential and condition assessment highlight the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety of surrounding communities and the integrity of the dam structure.

For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Chatham Lake Dam serves as a crucial case study in the management of privately owned dams for recreational purposes. The dam's location on Thompson Creek and its role in providing water storage for recreational activities underscore the intersection of water resource management and land use planning. As climate change impacts intensify, the need for robust emergency preparedness, risk assessment, and maintenance of aging dam infrastructure like Chatham Lake Dam becomes increasingly urgent. Collaborative efforts between private owners, state agencies, and the community will be essential in safeguarding the dam's integrity and mitigating potential risks associated with its operation.