J Strom Thurmond — Plant Summary
- EIA Plant ID
- 3323
- Capacity
- 361.9 MW
- Primary Fuel
- Hydro
- Technology
- Conventional Hydroelectric
- Status
- Operating
- Location
- McCormick, SC
- Operating Since
- 1953
- Generators
- 7
- Operator
- USCE-Savannah District
- Parent Company
- —
- Annual Generation
- 650,666 MWh
- Capacity Factor
- 20.5%
- Balancing Authority
- Southeastern Power Administration
- ISO/RTO
- —
- NERC Region
- SERC
J Strom Thurmond
OperatingHydro
Ranked #4 of 32 Hydro plants in SC#63 of 1454 nationally
361.9 MW Hydro operating in McCormick, SC — Southeastern Power Administration
EIAGEMWD
361.9 MW
Nameplate Capacity
7
Generators
units
Conventional Hydroelectric
Technology
1953
Operating Since
Location
Coordinates
33.6602, -82.1961
County
McCormick, SC
Nearby Plants
- Columbia SubstationSolar2 MW · 14.2 km
- Stevens CreekHydro17.6 MW · 17.2 km
- Columbia BrysonSolar1.4 MW · 25.2 km
Ownership & Operator
Owner data does not fully agree across sources.
EIA typically reports the operating utility, while GEM resolves to the financial owner or parent corporation. Both can be correct.
| Field | EIA | GEM | Wikidata |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | USCE-Savannah District | US Army Corps of Engineers - Savannah District | — |
| Owner(s) | USCE-Savannah District | US Army Corps of Engineers - Savannah District [100%] | — |
| Status | Operating | operating | — |
Ownership Chain
GEM identifies the owner as US Army Corps of Engineers - Savannah District [100%]
This entity is not yet in the GEM ownership database — chain unavailable.
About
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. U.S. Route 221 cross it. The dam was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers between 1946 and 1954 for the purposes of flood control, hydroelectricity and downstream navigation. The concrete structure of the dam spans 1,096 feet (334 m) and rises 204 feet (62 m) above the riverbed, housing a power plant with an installed 380 MW capacity. The Dam has prevented over $3.1 million in estimated flood damage annually and also provides recreation, water quality, water supply, along with fish and wildlife management.
Read more on WikipediaThe J Strom Thurmond Hydroelectric Plant, located in McCormick County, South Carolina, has a total capacity of 361.9 MW across seven generators. The plant, whose primary fuel is water (WAT), began operating in 1953 and is operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers (Savannah District). It utilizes conventional hydroelectric technology. The plant is within the Southeastern Power Administration balancing authority and the SERC NERC region.
In the most recent year with available data, the plant generated 650,666 MWh, achieving a capacity factor of 20.5%. J Strom Thurmond is the fourth-largest hydroelectric plant in South Carolina (out of seven) and ranks 63rd nationally (out of 194) in terms of capacity. Recent news coverage has focused on regulatory matters related to the plant.
Generated from EIA, GEM, and public data sources
Engineering & Generators
Grid Context
NERC Region
SERC
Balancing Authority
Southeastern Power Administration
Grid Voltage
115 kV
Regulatory Status
RE
Entity Type
Municipal
Sector
Electric Utility
Generation
41.6K MWh
Latest Month
650.7K MWh
Annual Generation
20.5%
Capacity Factor
Jan 2022 – Dec 2024
Financial Data
No financial data available for this plant.
Pricing & Market Data
This plant is outside organized wholesale electricity markets (ISOs/RTOs). Nodal pricing data is not available.
News & Articles (7)Beta
Industry·corporate
Army Corps of Engineers is calling for volunteers to help cleanup Thurmond Lake
The U.S Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah district and J. Strom Thurmond Lake are looking for volunteers to help with a variety of projects.
Army Corps of Engineers (other)
The Augusta Chronicle·2 years ago
General
North Augusta saw nuclear growth in the 1950s
The Star was created in the midst of a spectacular growth period in North Augusta and the CSRA as a whole, due to the Savannah River Plant's...
Post and Courier·6 years ago
General
South Carolina - Agriculture, Manufacturing, Tourism
South Carolina's manufacturing activities historically have been typified by low-wage production of fabrics and other nondurable goods.
Britannica·6 years ago
General
South Carolina - Wildlife, Forests, Coast
South Carolina has recorded more than 300 species of birds. Most faunal species occur statewide, but some are limited to either the Piedmont or the Coastal...
Britannica·6 years ago
Last updated 2026-03-14
View all 7 articles