Lake Merkel Dam dam
Lake Merkel Dam
Located in Berkeley, South Carolina, Lake Merkel Dam stands as a vital water resource structure with a storage capacity of 133 acre-feet and a surface area of 28 acres. The dam, with a height of 12 feet, plays a crucial role in water management and conservation in the region. Despite its importance, the condition assessment of the dam is currently marked as 'Not Rated,' indicating a need for further evaluation and monitoring.
While the hazard potential of the dam remains 'Undetermined,' the lack of a specific risk assessment and management plan underscores the need for proactive measures to ensure the safety and integrity of Lake Merkel Dam. With no designated primary purpose or dam type listed, it is essential for relevant agencies and stakeholders to assess the structural stability and overall functionality of the dam to mitigate potential risks and safeguard the surrounding communities and ecosystems. As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, addressing the condition and maintenance of Lake Merkel Dam becomes increasingly urgent.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the state of Lake Merkel Dam serves as a call-to-action for enhanced monitoring, risk assessment, and management strategies. With its strategic location and vital role in water management, Lake Merkel Dam represents a significant asset that requires careful oversight and maintenance to ensure its continued functionality and resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions. Prioritizing the assessment and upkeep of this essential water resource structure is crucial for sustaining water security and resilience in the region.
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 Lake Merkel Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Edisto River Nr Givhans | 464 cfs | → |
| Lake Moultrie Tailrace Canal At Moncks Corner | 5 cfs | → |
| Santee River Near Pineville | 618 cfs | → |
| Back River At Dupont Intake Nr Kittredge | 3,700 cfs | → |
| Santee River Nr Jamestown | 1,570 cfs | → |
| North Fork Edisto River At Orangeburg | 216 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Merkel Dam.
Boat launches
- Hatchery Boat Ramp Lake Moultrie
- Red Bank Road 184, Orangeburg County
- Ladson Road Summerville
- Clarendon County
- Santee Drive Orangeburg County
Campgrounds
- Givhans Ferry State Park
- Short Stay Navy Military
- Colleton State Park
- Polly's Landing Campground
- Santee State Park
- Foster Creek Rv Military
Fishing spots
Track Lake Merkel 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 Lake Merkel Dam
Where does the data for Lake Merkel 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 Undetermined 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 Lake Merkel Dam.