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Grant Overview   

FY25 Budget Proviso 55.24 and FY26 Budget Proviso 55.21 (DES: Dam Repair Assistance) have made $3 million in state funds available to provide cost-sharing grants to correct dam deficiencies identified by SCDES for High and Significant Hazard potential dams regulated under the Dams and Reservoir Safety Act.  

Funding Cycle 1 Announcement 

The application window for Funding Cycle 1 closed on September 2, 2025, and six grant applications have been selected for awards totaling $818,955.53.  Please see the Notice of Intent to Award for the official list of selected grant projects.   

Funding Cycle 2 Announcement and Upcoming Webinar 

The Department is also announcing that after the awards associated with Cycle 1 have been made, there is remaining funding available in the FY25/26 legislative grant allocations.  The Department will hold a second round of awards to utilize all remaining funds.  The Funding Cycle 2 application window will open on Monday, March 2, 2026. 

The SCDES Dam Safety Program will host a webinar on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, to discuss the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Funding Cycle 2, including lessons learned from this past funding cycle, changes to the application process, and tips for applying. The webinar will require attendees to pre-register in order to attend. Click here to register for the webinar. If you are unable to attend the live webinar event, a recording of the webinar will be posted on this web page at a later date.  

Eligible Dams   

In order to be considered eligible for funding under this grant program, a dam must:    

  • Be regulated by the SCDES Dam Safety Program;  
  • Have a Hazard Potential Classification of “High” or “Significant”; and  
  • Have a Condition Assessment Rating of “Poor” or “Unsatisfactory” as identified by SCDES, or where a Dam Safety Deficiency (see “Dam Safety Deficiency” in Definitions) has been identified by an Engineer (see “Engineer” in Definitions).  
  • If your dam did not receive a Condition Assessment Rating of “Poor” or “Unsatisfactory,” it is not automatically ineligible. For example, if you are able to provide evidence of a Dam Safety Deficiency identified by an Engineer for a dam with a “Fair” condition rating but meeting all other eligibility requirements, then the application may be considered eligible. Dams in this category must provide an Engineer’s Report that identifies a specific deficiency, which of the regulatory requirements the dam fails to satisfy, and what is needed to correct the deficiency  

The following types of dams are not eligible for funding:    

  • Dams exempt from state regulation under the Dams and Reservoirs Safety Act and Regulations; and,  
  • Low Hazard Potential dams (see “Low Hazard Potential” in Definitions).    

A map of all SCDES state regulated dams is also available for reference.    

NOFO Documents – Funding Cycle 1:   

The application period for Funding Cycle 1 of the Dam Repair Assistance Grant opened on May 1, 2025, and closed on September 2, 2025. Please note that the below NOFO and attachments are applicable only to Funding Cycle 1 and will be archived upon the release of the NOFO and attachments for Funding Cycle 2.  

  • Attachment A – Dam Repair Assistance Grant Application Form D-25-0005 
  • Attachment C – Milestones Worksheet Template – Non-Construction Projects (Excel version available upon request) 
  • Attachment D – Milestones Worksheet Template – Construction Projects (Excel version available upon request) 
  • Attachment E (Revised 8/1) – Application Checklist  
  • Attachment F (New 8/1) – Procedures for Dispute Resolution 

Questions?  

E-mail DESresponse@des.sc.gov and the Dam Safety Program staff will provide assistance.