Conestee Dam Replacement Project Protects Laurens County’s Water and Future
June 11, 2025
Construction is progressing on the long-anticipated Conestee Dam replacement project—a vital environmental safeguard for communities along the Reedy River, including Laurens County.
Located in Greenville County, the Conestee Dam was built in the late 1800s to serve textile mills, but it has long outlived its original purpose. Over time, it trapped more than two million cubic yards of sediment contaminated with industrial waste. That sediment, if released, could travel downstream into Lake Greenwood—a primary drinking water source for Laurens County residents.
A Major Project with Regional Significance
After decades of concern from environmental advocates and local officials, the project to replace the aging dam took a major step forward when site work began in late 2023. By February 28, 2025, crews held a formal groundbreaking and had already begun preparing for full-scale construction of the new dam.
The new concrete structure is being built roughly 60 feet downstream of the existing dam. Designed to be more than 30 feet tall and 500 feet wide, the replacement dam will be capable of withstanding severe weather and seismic activity—something the old dam could not guarantee.
Concrete pouring began in April, with much of the structural work scheduled to continue through 2025 and into 2026. The old dam will not be removed until the new one is fully operational, ensuring no contaminated sediment is released during the process.
Protecting Laurens County’s Water Supply
Why should residents of Laurens County care about a dam in Greenville? Because the Reedy River doesn’t stop at county lines. It flows directly into Lake Greenwood, a critical source of drinking water and recreational use for thousands of people in Laurens and surrounding areas.
If the existing dam were to collapse—whether from heavy rainfall or structural failure—it could send millions of gallons of toxic sediment into the water system. That kind of environmental disaster would endanger drinking water, damage ecosystems, and trigger an expensive and time-consuming cleanup effort.
“The replacement of the Conestee Dam is a monumental step toward reducing potential risks to both people and the environment—especially so when you consider the importance of Lake Greenwood as the long-term drinking water supply for Laurens County,” said Jeff Field, executive director of Laurens County Water & Sewer Commission.
By replacing the dam now, local and state leaders are investing in long-term environmental protection and public health. It’s a move that offers peace of mind for communities downstream and avoids the economic and ecological cost of a preventable crisis.
State Support and Local Advocacy
The $47.5 million project is largely funded by the State of South Carolina, which allocated $36 million in 2023 to get the effort moving after years of planning. Additional support came from conservation groups and local stakeholders who understood the dam’s environmental threat.
Attorney Kelly Lowry, who leads the Conestee Dam Restoration Project, has been instrumental in coordinating efforts. State Representative Bruce Bannister called the dam a “ticking time bomb,” emphasizing the urgency behind securing funding and launching construction.
A Safer Future for the Reedy River
As work on the new structure moves forward, the benefits extend far beyond the city limits of Greenville. The project protects Lake Greenwood, preserves recreational opportunities, and ensures the Reedy River continues to serve as a natural and economic asset for Laurens County and beyond.
What’s happening upstream matters—and thanks to this ambitious project, Laurens County residents can look forward to a cleaner, safer waterway for generations to come.
