How to Get Dam Surveillance Key in ARC Raiders & Where to Use It

Keys are some of the most valuable items you can find in ARC Raiders. They unlock exclusive loot rooms packed with high-tier gear, crafting materials, and resources that can seriously boost your progression. The Dam Surveillance Key is one of these precious items, and if you’ve stumbled across one (or heard about it), you’re probably wondering where it goes and what treasures await.

This guide will cover everything you need to know: how to find the Dam Surveillance Key, the one guaranteed way to get it, and exactly where to use it for maximum profit.

What Is the Dam Surveillance Key?

The Dam Surveillance Key is a special item that unlocks a high-value loot room in the Dam Battlegrounds map. Unlike some keys that open multiple doors, this one has a single specific use—but trust me, the room it unlocks is worth the hunt.

Inside, you’ll find:

• Multiple loot sources (lockers, bags, loose items)
• High-tier equipment and weapons
• Valuable crafting materials
• Resources for upgrading your workbench and gear

Since this is a high-value area, getting in and out quickly is crucial. You don’t want to be caught looting when enemy players or ARCs show up.

How to Get the Dam Surveillance Key

Finding keys in ARC Raiders can feel random at times, but there are strategies that dramatically improve your odds. Here’s what you need to know:

Method 1: Farm Medium and High-Value Loot Areas

The Dam Surveillance Key can spawn in loot containers across multiple maps—not just Dam Battlegrounds. Your best chances come from targeting medium and high-value loot locations.

Best places to search:

• Lockers in industrial buildings
• Military or security outposts
• Command centers and control rooms
• High-tier loot crates
• Desks and storage areas in government buildings

Important tip: While the key is primarily used at Dam Battlegrounds, you can actually find it on other maps too. So if you’re running raids on Spaceport or Buried City, keep checking high-value loot spots—you might get lucky.

The downside? RNG can be brutal. Loot distribution changes with every raid, so there’s no guaranteed spawn point for random farming. You might find it on your first run, or it could take a dozen attempts.

Method 2: Complete the Greasing Her Palms Quest (Guaranteed)

Here’s the good news: there’s actually a guaranteed way to get a Dam Surveillance Key, and it comes from Celeste’s trader quest called Greasing Her Palms.

When you accept this quest, Celeste automatically gives you a Dam Surveillance Key as part of the mission requirements. Why? Because one of the quest objectives is to visit the locked room in the Water Treatment Control building—the exact room this key opens.

Quest objectives include:

• Visiting the locked room at Dam Battlegrounds (requires the key)
• Scoping out rocket thrusters at Spaceport
• Accessing the barricaded area in Buried City

This is the easiest and most reliable method for new players. If you’re struggling to find the key through random loot, just progress through your trader quests until you unlock Greasing Her Palms from Celeste.

Pro tip: Even if you already have a key from looting, completing this quest is still worth it for the XP and rewards. Plus, you can use one key and save the other for a future run.

Where to Use the Dam Surveillance Key

Now that you have the key, let’s talk about where it goes and how to reach the locked room safely.

Location: Water Treatment Control Building

The locked room is located in the Water Treatment Control building on the Dam Battlegrounds map, positioned in the southern section of the area.

Map landmarks to help you navigate:

• South of the Primary Facility
• Between South Swamp Outpost and the main dam structure
• Below the Hydroponic Dome Complex
• Near the southern extraction points

If you’re doing the Greasing Her Palms quest, you’ll already be familiar with this location from the quest objectives.

How to Reach the Locked Room

Once you’ve arrived at the Water Treatment Control building, follow these directions carefully:

Step-by-step navigation:

1. Enter from the southern entrance – This is the main entry point that leads directly to the corridor you need.
2. Take the right entry past the table – Once inside, you’ll see a table ahead. Move right past it.
3. Take the next right turn – Continue down the corridor and turn right again.
4. Find the room tucked in the corner – The locked door will be at the end, clearly marked and requiring the Dam Surveillance Key.
5. Use the key and enter – Interact with the door to unlock it and claim your loot.

What’s Inside the Locked Room?

This isn’t just a single loot crate—the room contains multiple sources of valuable items:

• Lockers along the walls (check them all)
• Bags and backpacks on the floor or benches
• Loose items scattered on desks and dashboards
• Weapon spawns (occasionally)
• High-tier crafting materials like Mechanical Components or Rusted Tools

Looting strategy: Before entering, make sure you have plenty of backpack space available. You don’t want to leave valuable loot behind because your inventory is full. Consider stashing less important items nearby so you can maximize what you take from the locked room.

Safety Tips for Looting the Room

High-value loot areas are magnets for danger—both from ARCs and enemy players. Here’s how to stay safe:

Before You Enter

• Clear the area – Sweep the building for enemies before unlocking the door. The last thing you want is to be ambushed while looting.
• Check for other players – Listen for footsteps or gunfire. If other Raiders are nearby, consider waiting or finding a safe moment.
• Have an escape plan – Know where the nearest extraction point is and how to reach it quickly.

While Looting

• Work fast – Don’t linger. Grab the best loot first and move on.
• Use Safe Pockets – Immediately secure your most valuable finds so you don’t lose them if you die.
• Keep ears open – Stay alert for approaching threats. Audio cues are critical in ARC Raiders.

After Looting

• Head straight for extraction – Don’t get greedy trying to hit more loot spots. Your inventory is likely full of valuable items—prioritize getting out alive.
• Consider a Raider Hatch Key – If you have one, use it for a safer, faster extraction.
• Avoid predictable routes – Mix up your path to extraction points to avoid ambushes from players who might be camping common routes.

Other Useful Resources to Farm

While you’re running Dam Battlegrounds for the key or accessing the locked room, consider farming other valuable resources in the area:

• Prickly Pears for crafting
• Mushrooms for consumables
• Wires and batteries from electrical areas for quests like Trash Into Treasure
• Dog Collars if you’re working on companion training

Efficiency is key in ARC Raiders. The more you can accomplish in a single raid, the faster you’ll progress.

Tips for New Players

If you’re still learning the ropes, here are some broader tips that will help you survive long enough to use that Dam Surveillance Key:

Upgrade your gear – Visit the Gunsmith regularly to improve your weapons and increase your combat effectiveness.

Prioritize early skills – Check out which skills to unlock first for the biggest early-game advantage.

Learn shield mechanics – Understanding all shield types and recharge systems will keep you alive longer.

Farm coins efficiently – Need funds for upgrades? Our money-making guide has you covered.

Master Security Breaches – Unlocking security lockers can yield additional keys and high-tier loot.

Check out general survival tips – These will improve your overall gameplay and help you succeed in difficult situations.

Final Thoughts

The Dam Surveillance Key might seem like a minor item, but the loot room it unlocks can significantly boost your progression. Whether you farm for it randomly or grab the guaranteed one from Celeste’s Greasing Her Palms quest, make sure you use it wisely.

Remember: high-value loot comes with high risk. Get in, loot efficiently, protect your best items with Safe Pockets, and extract quickly. With the right preparation and strategy, that locked room will become one of your favorite farming spots.

Now get out there, find that key, and claim your treasure!

Available on: PlayStation | Xbox | Official Site