COLUMBIA, S.C. — Following the dam breach at Lake Paul Wallace in Marlboro on Monday, authorities from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) emphasized the critical importance of dam safety regulations.
"Under state law, dam owners are responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of their dams. While DHEC doesn’t provide engineering or maintenance services, the agency provides technical assistance and information to help dam owners maintain compliance with safety regulations," stated DHEC authorities in response to the incident.
South Carolina is home to over 10,000 dams, including 34 federally regulated dams and more than 2,317 state-regulated dams, according to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD). The vast number of dams underscores the necessity of safety measures to prevent breaches and protect downstream communities.
At any time, one or more of these dams may be threatened by upstream flash floods, earthquakes, neglect, or any combination of the above, which can cause significant water damage to property or additional failures to dams located downstream, according to SCEMD.
DHEC regulations mandate regular inspections of dams to ensure their safety. High-hazard dams are inspected biannually, while significant-hazard dams undergo inspections every three years. Lake Paul Wallace Dam, classified as a high-hazard dam, had undergone a routine inspection by DHEC just days before the breach occurred.
In response to the breach, DHEC staff, along with other state and local officials, remain on-site at Lake Paul Wallace. They are collaborating with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) to assess the damage and outline the regulatory requirements for repairs needed to restore the dam to its proper functioning.