Saluda Dike dam
Saluda Dike
Saluda Dike, located in Irmo, South Carolina, is a crucial structure managed by a public utility for hydroelectric purposes. Built in 1930, this rockfill dam stands at a height of 18 feet and spans 1458 feet across the Saluda River. With a storage capacity of 2.2 million acre-feet and a surface area of 48,000 acres, the dam plays a significant role in water resource management in the region.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Saluda Dike has a high hazard potential and is subject to regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. Despite its age, the dam continues to serve its primary purpose effectively, contributing to the hydroelectric power generation in the area. The surrounding community benefits from the water storage and regulation provided by Saluda Dike, highlighting the importance of this infrastructure in mitigating the impacts of climate change and ensuring water security in the region.
As climate change continues to impact water resources, structures like Saluda Dike become even more critical in managing water flow and ensuring sustainable water supply. With its strategic location and significant storage capacity, Saluda Dike stands as a testament to effective water resource management and adaptation to changing environmental conditions. As efforts to address climate change intensify, the role of dams like Saluda Dike in maintaining water security and supporting renewable energy production will only grow in importance.
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 Saluda Dike -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Saluda River Below Lk Murray Dam Nr Columbia | 2,400 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Near Columbia | 2,620 cfs | → |
| Smith Branch At North Main St At Columbia | 2 cfs | → |
| Congaree River At Columbia | 9,260 cfs | → |
| Broad River At Alston | 4,010 cfs | → |
| Gills Creek At Columbia | 44 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Saluda Dike .
Boat launches
- Highway 6 6, Columbia
- Cove Launch Court Lexington County
- Shull Island Boat Ramp
- Eastshore Drive 143, Lexington County
- Cabana Way Lexington County
- Sandlapper Way 159, Lexington County
Campgrounds
- Woodmen Of The World Park
- Dreher Island State Rec Area
- Sesquicentennial State Park
- Weston Lake Military - Fort Jackson
- Rocky Branch Seasonal Camp
- Longleaf Campground
Fishing spots
Track Saluda Dike 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 Saluda Dike
Where does the data for Saluda Dike 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 Saluda Dike .