Tag: Pinopolis

• The Pinopolis Dam and Lock were vital in revitalizing rural South Carolina.
• Today, recreational boaters and commercial transporters utilize the lock.
• Pinopolis is an innovative structure that works as a sort of “lake elevator.”

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The Pinopolis Dam and Lock have played an instrumental role in the history of rural South Carolina. The dam’s construction revitalized the Depression-ravaged economy and connected the state’s largest and third-largest lakes: Marion and Moultrie. Plus, its relevance continues today as it provides innovative and convenient travel between lakes via the lock system. So if you want to learn the intricacies of this unique structure, check out the history of the Pinopolis Dam and Lock!

The History

With the creation of the Pinopolis Dam and Lakes Marion and Moultrie in 1941, rural South Carolina received a respite from a decade of Great Depression-induced poverty. The $48.2 million project improved all surrounding counties’ economies, health, and recreation. In 1939, more than 12,500 local workers cleared 177,000 acres of timber to construct the 138-foot-high and 11,500-foot-long dam. This New Deal-era project also included a hydroelectric station and navigation lock. At its construction, the Pinopolis Lock was the highest single-lift lock in the entire world. Along with facilitating transportation, the dam supplied hydroelectric power and generated electricity. Pinopolis produced its first electricity on February 17, 1942, providing it to customers in Berkeley, Georgetown, and Horry counties before eventually supporting 46 counties.

The Purpose

Did you know that you can boat all the way from Lake Marion to the Atlantic Ocean? You only need to pass through the Pinopolis Lock, connect to Lake Moultrie, and cruise down the Intracoastal Waterway to Charleston. Although it sounds fairly simple, this trip takes a lot of innovation and engineering. Without the Pinopolis Lock, it would be impossible to travel between Lakes Marion and Moultrie by boat.

Although the lock was initially constructed for navigation and commercial traffic, recreational boating has become essential to its daily function. Each day, the lock transports hundreds of recreational boaters across the lakes. But its purpose does not end here. According to Larry McCord, manager of Environmental Resources at Santee Cooper, the lock is also used “in cooperation with DNR to move fish from the river in the lake during the spring when they are on their spawning run.” Therefore, the Pinopolis Lock not only provides convenient transportation but also plays a vital role in the lake’s ecosystem.

How It Works

Contrary to popular belief, Pinopolis is not a series of locks. William Strong—Media Specialist with Santee Cooper—explains, “People like to call it the locks, but it is just the lock.” The above video demonstrates how the lock lifts boats and transports them to the other side. As these colossal 80-foot-high gates open, they reveal a 180-foot-long and 60-foot-wide concrete box. Inside this box, boaters tie up their vessels and wait for the lock to raise them 75 feet from the canal into the lake above. The entire process takes about 15 minutes.

Boats must be at least 10 feet in length and no longer than 150 feet to utilize the Pinopolis Lock. Smaller watercraft, such as Jet Skis, must be attached to larger vessels to enter the concrete box. In most cases, a dozen 16-foot boats can be transported simultaneously. However, if you have a large party, Santee Cooper recommends that you call ahead of time by dialing 843-899-LOCK (5625).

The lock is open year-round. In the spring and summer, it opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 7:30 p.m. In the fall and winter, the lock operates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

We hope you enjoyed learning about the history of the Pinopolis Dam and Lock. If this intriguing system makes you want to learn more about South Carolina lake life, don’t hesitate to call Russell Anderson!