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What's New

11/14/2023-Update on FFY2024 High Hazard Potential Dams (HHPD) Grant

SCDHEC Dam Safety is informing owners and operators of state-regulated High Hazard Potential Dams (HHPDs) that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released its

FFY24 FEMA Notice of Funding Opportunity for HHPD Rehab Grants

for the next HHPD grant cycle on November 6, 2023. SCDHEC intends to apply for this grant opportunity. This year's grant is a significantly increased investment in the program, as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act infused $585 million dollars that will be allocated over the next 3 grant cycles, with up to $185 million to be awarded in FFY24. The amount that will be made available to South Carolina will be determined once FEMA receives all state applications and reviews the states' lists of eligible dams. 

Final awards from FEMA to the states are expected in April 2024.  Soon thereafter, SCDHEC will issue a Notice of Funding Opportunity and begin accepting sub-award applications. The projected deadline for sub-award applications is July 1, 2024 but is subject to change and the final deadline will be established in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.  An informational webinar for prospective applicants will be held prior to SCDHEC's Notice of Funding Opportunity being released.  Please review the SCDHEC Dam Safety Program's website for more information and the latest news regarding the FY2024 High Hazard Potential Dams Rehabilitation Grant.

10/19/2023-FY2023 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) 2023 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced application and eligibility requirements for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) 2023 mitigation grant program. Mitigation projects are designed to reduce future risk and harm from natural hazard events, from mitigation planning and project scoping to large-scale projects to improve resilience of public infrastructure. The application period opens October 16, 2023; applications will be due in the FEMAGO platform for SCEMD review by December 15, 2023. Selection announcements by FEMA will be expected in Summer 2024.

Applications require detailed information about the proposed project, including budget, timeline, scope of work, and other specifics, so interested counties, local governments, and state agencies are encouraged to begin working on applications as soon as possible. BRIC grants require a non-federal cost share of at least 25% for most applicants (10% for small, impoverished communities as defined in federal law or Community Disaster Resilience Zones). SCEMD mitigation staff are available to answer questions and provide assistance in submitting a BRIC application at mitigation@emd.sc.gov. .

The State of the Dams

Investment in the protection of South Carolina’s people, natural resources, and infrastructure through dam safety

A report on the state of dam safety in South Carolina

Published: August 20, 2020

From 2015 to the present, South Carolina has been affected by numerous tropical weather systems and non-tropical rainstorms/thunderstorms that have dropped extreme amounts of precipitation in vast areas of the State generally over short periods of time.  These events have been felt directly by the owners and operators of state-regulated dams. Back-to-back hurricanes in October 2015 and October 2016 resulted in 70 regulated dam failures statewide. Consequently, SCDHEC undertook an effort to rebuild and reinvigorate the Dam Safety Program, with critical funding from the General Assembly in the form of new one-time and recurring funds. Significant progress has been made in that revitalization effort, although challenges remain.  The Dam Safety Program in the Bureau of Water is proud to provide this report – The State of the Dams – to document the progress that has been made, and how the infusions of state funding has been wisely invested, in improving dam safety in South Carolina.

Understanding Dam Classifications

Dams are classified based on their size (large, intermediate, small, very small) and their hazard potential (high, significant, low). For a dam to be regulated and appear in the Dams and Reservoirs Safety Program inventory, it must meet at least one of the following criteria and not fall under a regulatory exemption.

A dam can be regulated by the state if it:

• Is 25 feet or greater in height from top to bottom of the structure
• Can impound (hold back) 50 acre-feet or more of water at maximum storage
• Represents a high-hazard potential where improper operation or dam failure may cause loss of human life, regardless of the overall size of the dam

Dams exempted from state regulation are those that meet at least one of the following criteria:

• They do not meet the regulated size and hazard criteria
• They are owned or operated by a department or agency of the federal government
• They are owned or licensed by an appropriate federal licensing agency in the department's judgment, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or the United States Army Corp of Engineers
• Where the South Carolina Department of Transportation or a county or municipal government has accepted maintenance responsibility for a road or highway and that road or highway is the only danger to life or property if the dam were to fail
• In the Department's judgment and because of the dam's size and location, there is no significant threat or danger to downstream life or property.

Hazard potential is determined by the department using the best available data and evaluates the potential loss of human life or property damage in the event of failure or improper operation of the dam or associated structures.

• A High-hazard (C1) dam is a structure where failure will likely cause loss of life and/or serious damage to infrastructure.
• A Significant-hazard (C2) dam is a structure where failure will not likely cause loss of life infrastructure may be damaged.
• A Low-hazard (C3) dam is a structure where failure may cause limited property damage.

Program Activities

Under state law and regulations, before a dam that meets regulatory criteria can be built, altered, repaired, or removed plans and specifications must be submitted to the Dams and Reservoirs Safety Program for review. Once that review is complete, work can commence after a written permit is issued by the Department. The Dams and Reservoirs Safety Program reviews permit applications while also conducting safety inspections of regulated dams and providing informational and technical assistance to dam owners and operators in South Carolina to ensure their compliance with state laws and regulations. 

The program conducts construction inspections and final inspections on permitted projects to ensure all work is performed in accordance with the approved plans and specifications. Before a regulated dam or reservoir can be placed into operation, written authorization must be granted by the program.

The Environmental Quality Control Regional Offices are responsible for routine inspections and classification checks on dams. Routine inspections are performed on high hazard dams every two years and significant hazard dams every three years. The findings of these inspections are provided to dam owners with recommendations or requirements to address deficiencies noted during the inspection. Low hazard dams are not regularly inspected but are evaluated periodically to determine if new hazards have been constructed downstream that may lead to a reclassification of the dam's hazard potential. As necessary, the program also takes enforcement action on dams deemed to be unsafe and to ensure compliance with issued permits.

Dam Owners and Residents

Under state law, dam owners are responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of their dams whether or not their dam is regulated by the Dams and Reservoirs Safety Program. While DHEC does not provide engineering or maintenance services, the agency does provide technical assistance and information to help dam owners maintain compliance with safety regulations. Under state law, the owners of High and Significant Hazard potential dams are also required to have and maintain an Emergency Action Plan (EAP). 

If you are a dam owner and are considering the alteration, repair or removal of a dam, please visit the dam permitting page .

If you are a resident who lives near or below a dam, please visit www.livingneardams.org .

Be sure to check out South Carolina Dam Safety News .

Dam Safety Program Contacts

For questions or more information, contact:
John M. McCain, P.E., Manager
Phone: (803) 898-8178
Email: john.mccain@dhec.sc.gov

Or you can also contact your local DHEC regional dam inspector:

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Bureau and Regional Office staff are available for presentations on topics related to dam safety and maintenance, state regulations, and other business of the Dams and Reservoirs Safety Program. Please send us an email if you are interested in arranging a presentation for a group or class.