Lake Trenton Dam dam
Lake Trenton Dam
Lake Trenton Dam, located in Edgefield, South Carolina, serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock maintenance, and recreation. Built in 1976, this private earth dam stands at a height of 37 feet and spans 800 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 990 acre-feet. The dam sits on the Pace Branch, within the Savannah District of the US Army Corps of Engineers and is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Despite its significant hazard potential, Lake Trenton Dam is currently assessed to be in poor condition as of July 2020. The dam's emergency action plan was last revised in February 2016, raising concerns about its readiness to handle potential risks. With an inspection frequency of 3 years, the dam's structural integrity and safety measures are under close scrutiny by state regulators to ensure the protection of surrounding communities and the environment.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts are drawn to Lake Trenton Dam for its role in water management and conservation efforts in South Carolina. The dam's presence not only supports local agriculture and recreational activities but also underscores the importance of regular maintenance and risk management in safeguarding water resources for future generations.
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 Trenton Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mctier Creek (Rd 209) Near Monetta | 20 cfs | → |
| Augusta Canal Nr Augusta (Upper) | 2,130 cfs | → |
| Stevens Creek Near Modoc | 1,300 cfs | → |
| Savannah River At Augusta | 4,580 cfs | → |
| Butler Creek Below 7th Avenue | 27 cfs | → |
| Spirit Creek At Us 1 | 27 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Trenton Dam.
Boat launches
- Burnettown
- Mccormick County
- Saint John's Road, Clarks Hill
- Columbia County
- Lakeview Drive Parksville
- Lake Springs Road Columbia County
Campgrounds
- Lick Fork Lake
- Lick Fork Lake Recreation Area
- Faulkner Mountain Campground
- Boggy Campground
- Aiken State Park
- Hamilton Branch State Park
Fishing spots
Track Lake Trenton 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 Trenton Dam
Where does the data for Lake Trenton 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 Lake Trenton Dam.