James A Thompson Dam 2 dam
James A Thompson Dam 2
Located in Chester, South Carolina, James A Thompson Dam 2 is a privately owned structure with a primary purpose of recreation. Built in 1950, this earth dam stands at a height of 12 feet and spans a length of 550 feet, creating a storage capacity of 58 acre-feet. Situated on Bear Branch, this dam offers a serene environment for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy various recreational activities.
Despite its age, James A Thompson Dam 2 has a significant hazard potential and has been assessed as being in poor condition as of August 2019. The dam is subject to state regulations and inspections, with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control overseeing permitting, inspection, and enforcement activities. While the dam lacks certain features like a spillway, it continues to serve its primary purpose of providing recreational opportunities for the surrounding community.
Investigations into the condition and risk of James A Thompson Dam 2 are ongoing, with emergency action plans being developed and updated as needed. With its historical significance and potential risks, this dam serves as a reminder of the importance of proper maintenance and oversight in preserving water resources for future generations. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, this dam offers a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of infrastructure, recreation, and environmental stewardship.
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 James A Thompson Dam 2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Broad River Near Carlisle | 3,850 cfs | → |
| Fishing Creek Below Fort Lawn | 122 cfs | → |
| Wildcat Creek Below Rock Hill | 9 cfs | → |
| Rocky Creek At Great Falls | 105 cfs | → |
| Tyger River Near Delta | 333 cfs | → |
| Enoree River At Whitmire | 621 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near James A Thompson Dam 2.
Boat launches
- Lancaster County
- Green Road Lancaster County
- Broad River Road Newberry County
- Waterford Trail Rock Hill
- Catawba Nation Greenway Trail York County
Campgrounds
- Chester State Park
- Woods Ferry Recreation Area
- Woods Ferry
- Poulous Loop Group Camp
- Rocky Branch Seasonal Camp
- Collins Creek Seasonal Camp
Track James A Thompson Dam 2 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 James A Thompson Dam 2
Where does the data for James A Thompson Dam 2 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 James A Thompson Dam 2.