Rocky River Multiple Arch Buttress Dam dam
Rocky River Multiple Arch Buttress Dam
The Rocky River Multiple Arch Buttress Dam, also known as Lake Secession, is a striking hydroelectric structure located in Abbeville, South Carolina. Built in 1940, this dam stands at a structural height of 85 feet and boasts a multi-arch design, making it a picturesque sight along the Rocky River. With a maximum storage capacity of 26,300 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 25,650 acre-feet, this dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Rocky River Dam serves multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation and recreation. The dam's spillway, with a width of 360 feet, is designed to handle a maximum discharge of 29,000 cubic feet per second, ensuring the efficient regulation of water flow in the area. Despite its significant hazard potential, the dam is subject to regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its safety and functionality for the community.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Rocky River Multiple Arch Buttress Dam is a noteworthy structure that embodies the intersection of engineering, environmental conservation, and recreational activities. With its rich history and vital role in the region's water management system, this dam stands as a testament to human ingenuity and our ongoing efforts to harness the power of nature in a sustainable manner.
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 Rocky River Multiple Arch Buttress Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky River Nr Starr | 160 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Mt. Carmel | 3,010 cfs | → |
| Beaverdam Creek Ab Elberton Ga | 398 cfs | → |
| Broad River Near Bell | 5,970 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Near Ware Shoals | 1,780 cfs | → |
| Broad River Above Carlton | 901 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rocky River Multiple Arch Buttress Dam .
Boat launches
- Red Fox Drive 98, Abbeville County
- C-13-10 Anderson County
- Olympic Rowing Drive 2790, Elberton
- Dry Fork Landing Drive 1387, Elberton
- Blue Hole Boat Ramp
- Anderson Highway 2925, Elberton
Campgrounds
- Calhoun Falls State Rec Area
- Richard B. Russell State Park
- Watsadlers
- Sadlers Creek State Park
- Springfield
- Parsons Mountain Lake
Fishing spots
- Richard B Russell Lake
- Lightwood Log Creek
- Parsons Mountain Lake
- Lake Hartwell
- Reservoir Number One
- Cherokee Creek
Paddle runs
- Turkey Creek And Sc Highway 35 To Confluence With Stevens Creek
- Confluence Of Cedar Creek To 1/4 Mile Below The Nf Boundary And Fh 110, Cobbs Bridge Road
- Steven's Creek Crossing Sc Highway 21 To Steven's Creek Crossing Sc Highway 88
- 1/4 Mile Below Fs 745 And Cassidy Bridge Hunt Camp To Confluence Of Cedar Creek
- South Of Cedar Creek Rifle Range To Confluence With Chauga River
- Crpssing Of Land Bridge Road, Sc 196 To 1/4 Mile Below Fs 745 And Cassidy Bridge Hunt Camp
Track Rocky River Multiple Arch Buttress 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 Rocky River Multiple Arch Buttress Dam
Where does the data for Rocky River Multiple Arch Buttress 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 Significant 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 Rocky River Multiple Arch Buttress Dam .