Pinewood Lake Dam dam
Pinewood Lake Dam
Pinewood Lake Dam, located in Richland, South Carolina, is a private dam on Mill Creek that serves primarily for recreational purposes. Built in 1900, this earth dam stands at a height of 15 feet and has a length of 1050 feet, with a storage capacity of 263 acre-feet. However, recent data shows that the dam has a high hazard potential and an unsatisfactory condition assessment, highlighting the need for regular inspections and maintenance to ensure public safety.
Managed by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Pinewood Lake Dam is subject to state regulations, inspections, and enforcement measures. Despite its current condition assessment, the dam continues to be a popular spot for recreational activities, with a surface area of 35 acres for visitors to enjoy. The dam's association with the Savannah District of the US Army Corps of Engineers further underscores its significance in the region.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the status of dams like Pinewood Lake Dam is crucial for monitoring environmental risks and ensuring sustainable water management practices. With a focus on safety and maintenance, it is essential to stay informed about the condition of dams like Pinewood Lake to mitigate potential hazards and protect the local community and ecosystem.
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 Pinewood Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Gills Creek At Columbia | 14 cfs | → |
| Congaree River At Columbia | 2,400 cfs | → |
| Smith Branch At North Main St At Columbia | 2 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Near Columbia | 840 cfs | → |
| Wateree R. Bl Eastover | 2,400 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Below Lk Murray Dam Nr Columbia | 759 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pinewood Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Carolina Drive Richland County
- Morning Sun Court 98, Richland County
- Highway 6 6, Columbia
- Us 601 Calhoun County
- West Dekalb Street Lugoff
- Cabana Way Lexington County
Track Pinewood 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 Pinewood Lake Dam
Where does the data for Pinewood 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 Pinewood Lake Dam.