Parr Shoals Dam dam
Parr Shoals Dam
Parr Shoals Dam, located in Newberry, South Carolina, is a gravity dam with a height of 52 feet and a hydraulic height of 45 feet. Completed in 1914, the dam serves as a hydroelectric facility on the Broad River, with a storage capacity of 32,000 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 163,080 cubic feet per second. The dam's spillway is controlled and has a width of 2000 feet, providing essential flood control measures for the surrounding area.
Managed by a public utility, Parr Shoals Dam is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and integrity. With a hazard potential rated as high and a risk assessment indicating a very high risk level, the dam's emergency action plan is crucial in mitigating potential threats to downstream communities. The dam's primary purpose is hydroelectric generation, contributing to the region's energy needs while also providing recreational opportunities in the surrounding area.
Despite its age, Parr Shoals Dam continues to play a vital role in water resource management and climate adaptation efforts in South Carolina. With its historical significance as a key infrastructure project in the early 20th century, the dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water utilization and environmental stewardship in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Parr Shoals Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Broad River At Alston | 3,340 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Below Lk Murray Dam Nr Columbia | 2,400 cfs | → |
| Bush River Nr Prosperity | 54 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Near Columbia | 2,520 cfs | → |
| Tyger River Near Delta | 333 cfs | → |
| Enoree River At Whitmire | 364 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Parr Shoals Dam .
Boat launches
- Broad River Road Newberry County
- Cove Launch Court Lexington County
- Park Marina Drive 79, Newberry County
- Sassafras Lane Newberry County
- Shull Island Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Woodmen Of The World Park
- Rocky Branch Seasonal Camp
- Dreher Island State Rec Area
- Collins Creek Seasonal Camp
- Brick House Campground
- Brick House
Fishing spots
Track Parr Shoals 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 Parr Shoals Dam
Where does the data for Parr Shoals 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 Parr Shoals Dam .