Eureka Lake Dam dam
Eureka Lake Dam
Eureka Lake Dam, located in Chesterfield, South Carolina, is a state-owned structure built in 1937 primarily for recreational purposes. The dam, standing at a height of 25 feet and a length of 625 feet, holds a maximum storage capacity of 4,389 acre-feet of water from Juniper Creek. With a surface area of 207 acres, the dam is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and undergoes regular inspections to ensure public safety.
Despite its significant hazard potential and poor condition assessment, Eureka Lake Dam continues to be a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts seeking water-based recreational activities. The dam's controlled spillway and high-risk designation underscore the importance of ongoing risk management measures to mitigate potential hazards. With a very high risk assessment rating, it is crucial for emergency action plans to be updated and aligned with current guidelines to address any unforeseen events that may impact the dam's structural integrity.
As climate change continues to pose challenges to water resources and infrastructure, the maintenance and monitoring of dams like Eureka Lake Dam become increasingly vital. With its historical significance and scenic surroundings, Eureka Lake Dam serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water management practices and the need for continuous investment in dam safety to protect both the environment and the community.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Eureka Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pee Dee River Nr Bennettsville | 2,040 cfs | → |
| Black Creek Near Mcbee | 23 cfs | → |
| Pee Dee R Nr Rockingham | 1,830 cfs | → |
| Black Creek Near Hartsville | 58 cfs | → |
| Black Creek Near Quinby | 164 cfs | → |
| Big Shoe Heel Creek Nr Laurinburg | 19 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Eureka Lake Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Baldwins Pond
- Blewett Falls Lake Grassy Island
- Arrowhead Lake
- Broadacres Lake
- Broadacres Lakes
- Big Branch
Track Eureka Lake Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Eureka Lake Dam
Where does the data for Eureka Lake Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Eureka Lake Dam.