Saddle Dike No. 2 - Jocassee dam
Saddle Dike No. 2 - Jocassee
Saddle Dike No. 2 - Jocassee is a key structure in South Carolina's water management system, serving the primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation. Built in 1973, this earth dam stands at a height of 25 feet and spans 500 feet in length, containing a maximum storage capacity of 1,160,298 acre-feet. Located in Oconee County near Clemson, SC, the dam is situated on the Keowee River within the Nashville District of the US Army Corps of Engineers.
With a hazard potential rated as high, Saddle Dike No. 2 - Jocassee is closely monitored by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which oversees its inspections and regulatory compliance. The dam's condition assessment is currently not available, emphasizing the need for regular evaluations to ensure public safety and environmental protection. Despite being a non-Federal dam, it plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region.
As part of a network of associated structures, including SC00529S001 and SC00529S003, Saddle Dike No. 2 - Jocassee contributes to the overall water storage and energy production capabilities in the area. Its strategic location and design reflect a commitment to sustainable water resource management, highlighting the intersection of infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and public safety in the context of climate change and extreme weather events.
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 Saddle Dike No. 2 - Jocassee -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| French Broad River At Rosman | 2,420 cfs | → |
| Twelvemile Creek Near Liberty | 156 cfs | → |
| South Saluda River Near Cleveland | 12 cfs | → |
| Chattooga River Near Clayton | 1,010 cfs | → |
| Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Nr Cullowhee | 720 cfs | → |
| Middle Saluda River Near Cleveland | 81 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Saddle Dike No. 2 - Jocassee .
Boat launches
- White Oak Hill Road Oconee County
- Devils Fork Road Oconee County
- Cabin Road 398, Pickens County
- Landing Road Oconee County
- Fall Creek Landing
- Crow Creek Access Road Pickens County
Campgrounds
- Devils Fork State Park
- Keowee - Toxaway State Natural Area
- Laurel Fork Campsite
- Bearcamp Creek Campsite
- Mile Creek County Park
- Bear Creek Campsite
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Sloan's Bridge Crossing, Crossing Of Sc 107
- Sloan's Bridge Crossing To 1/4 Mile Above The Walhalla Fish Hatchery
- 1/4 Mile Above The Walhalla Fish Hatchery To 1/4 Mile Below The Walhalla Fish Hatchery
- Beginning Just Upstream Of Townes Creek,Wash Branch And Crane Creek To Confluence With Kings Creek
- Headwaters Just East Of Hwy 107 To Crossing Of Norton Field Road (Fs 715a)
- 1/4 Mile Below Walhalla Fish Hatchery To Boundary Of Chattooga Wsr
Track Saddle Dike No. 2 - Jocassee 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 Saddle Dike No. 2 - Jocassee
Where does the data for Saddle Dike No. 2 - Jocassee 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 Saddle Dike No. 2 - Jocassee .