Clarks Hill in McCormick County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
J. Strom Thurmond Dam
Photographed by Brian Scott, April 17, 2011
1. J. Strom Thurmond Dam Marker
Constructed between 1946-1954, Thurmond Dam is the first hydropower project to be built on the Savannah River. Behind it lies one of the largest Corps of Engineer lakes east of the Mississippi.
The Thurmond Dam powerhouse contains seven power units, each capable of generating 40,000 kilowatts. Its average annual energy output is 920-million kilowatt hours.
Since its completion, Thurmond Dam has prevented millions of dollars in flood damage to down stream sites, and had produced power revenues sufficient to repay its original construction cost in less than 25 years.
Erected by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Man-Made Features • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 33° 39.767′ N, 82° 11.45′ W. Marker is in Clarks Hill, South Carolina, in McCormick County. It can be reached from U.S. 221. Marker is located on the south deck of the visitor's center, overlooking the lake and dam. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Clarks Hill SC 29821, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally,
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Thurmond Dam and Lake / McCormick County (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Purpose of the Dam (approx. 0.4 miles away); Damascus Baptist Church (approx. 7.3 miles away in Georgia); Jabez Pleiades Marshall (approx. 8.3 miles away in Georgia); Bridging Time (approx. 9½ miles away); a different marker also named Bridging Time (approx. 9½ miles away); Lonnie O. Morris, Sr. Park (approx. 10½ miles away in Georgia); First Baptist Church in Georgia (approx. 10.6 miles away in Georgia); Religious Liberty in Georgia (approx. 10.6 miles away in Georgia); Columbia County (approx. 10.8 miles away
Photographed by Brian Scott, April 17, 2011
2. J. Strom Thurmond Dam Marker
Also see . . .
1. J. Strom Thurmond Dam. J. Strom Thurmond Dam, also known in Georgia as Clarks Hill Dam, is a concrete-gravity and embankment dam located 22 miles (35 km) north of Augusta, Georgia on the Savannah River at the border of South Carolina and Georgia, creating Lake Strom Thurmond. (Submitted on May 2, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
2. Lake Strom Thurmond. Lake Strom Thurmond, known in Georgia as Clarks Hill Lake, is a reservoir at the border between Georgia and South Carolina in the Savannah River Basin. (Submitted on May 2, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
3. US Army Corps of Engineers. The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is a federal agency and a major Army command made up of some 36,000 civilian and military personnel, making it the world's largest public engineering, design and construction management agency. (Submitted on May 2, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
4. Savannah River. The Savannah River is a major river in the southeastern
Photographed by Brian Scott, April 17, 2011
3. J. Strom Thurmond Dam Marker
Photographed by Brian Scott, April 17, 2011
4. J. Strom Thurmond Lake, Dam, and Marker
Photographed by Brian Scott, April 17, 2011
5. J. Strom Thurmond Dam Marker and Southwest Tower
Photographed by Brian Scott, April 17, 2011
6. J. Strom Thurmond Dam -
North Side
View from Visitor's Center
North Side
View from Visitor's Center
Photographed by Brian Scott, April 17, 2011
7. J. Strom Thurmond Dam -
North Side
View from US 221
North Side
View from US 221
Photographed by Brian Scott, April 17, 2011
8. J. Strom Thurmond Dam -
US 221 Over Lake Thurmond
US 221 Over Lake Thurmond
Photographed by Brian Scott, April 17, 2011
9. J. Strom Thurmond Dam -
South Side
View from the Power Plant
South Side
View from the Power Plant
Photographed by Brian Scott, April 17, 2011
10. J. Strom Thurmond Dam -
South Side
View from the Power Plant
South Side
View from the Power Plant
Photographed by Brian Scott, April 17, 2011
11. J. Strom Thurmond Dam -
South Side
View from the Power Plant
South Side
View from the Power Plant
Photographed by Brian Scott, April 17, 2011
12. J. Strom Thurmond Dam and Lake Visitor's Center
Photographed by Brian Scott, April 17, 2011
13. J. Strom Thurmond Dam and Lake Visitor's Center
Photographed by Brian Scott, April 17, 2011
14. J. Strom Thurmond Dam and Lake Visitor's Center -
Southwest Tower
Southwest Tower
Photographed by Brian Scott, April 17, 2011
15. J. Strom Thurmond Dam and Lake Visitor's Center -
West Side
West Side
Photographed by Brian Scott, April 17, 2011
16. J. Strom Thurmond Dam and Lake Visitor's Center Entrance Way
Photographed by Brian Scott, April 17, 2011
17. Circular Map of Lake Thurmond Located Near the Center's Entrance
Photographed by Brian Scott, April 17, 2011
18. Series of Informational Signs
Photographed by Brian Scott, April 17, 2011
19. J. Strom Thurmond Dam and Lake
An Abundance of Resources
An Abundance of Resources
Welcome to the J. Strom Thurmond Dam and Lake, which offers a variety of recreational activities on water and land. Enjoy boating, swimming and fishing on Thurmond Lake, the largest U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake east of the Mississippi River. You will find some of the best fishing in the Southeast right here. Thirteen Corps campgrounds, six state parks, two county parks and several marinas offer more than 1,100 campsites. Many day-use facilities for picnicking and swimming are also available. Thurmond Project lands teem with a variety of plants and animals enriching the many outdoor experiences available to you.
Photographed by Brian Scott, April 17, 2011
20. Welcome to the Thurmond Dam & Lake Visitor Center
Come inside to learn how Thurmond Lake was created, why it is important to the region, and how you can experience the abundant benefits the lake offers. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will provide information to help you get the most from your visit.
Open daily, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (except winter holidays)
Additional Information: 1-800-533-3478, www.sas.usace.army.mil
Open daily, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (except winter holidays)
Additional Information: 1-800-533-3478, www.sas.usace.army.mil
Credits. This page was last revised on November 22, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,234 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. submitted on May 2, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
