Winnsboro Reservoir Dam dam
Winnsboro Reservoir Dam
Winnsboro Reservoir Dam, also known as City of Winnsboro Dam, is a key water resource infrastructure owned by the local government in Fairfield, South Carolina. Completed in 1945, this earth dam stands at a height of 28 feet and stretches 350 feet in length, serving primarily for water supply purposes. Located on the TR-MILL CREEK, the dam has a storage capacity of 408 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 384 acre-feet and a surface area of 24 acres.
Despite its important role in water supply, Winnsboro Reservoir Dam has been assessed to be in poor condition, with a low hazard potential but moderate risk level. The dam is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC), with regular state inspections and enforcement in place. The last inspection was conducted in April 2017, with a scheduled inspection frequency of every 5 years. While the dam currently has no associated structures or outlet gates, it remains a critical infrastructure for the surrounding community.
With Ralph Norman as the representative for the area, Winnsboro Reservoir Dam plays a vital role in ensuring a stable water supply for the region. As a water resource and climate enthusiast, understanding the significance and condition of infrastructure like this dam is crucial for sustainable water management and environmental conservation efforts in South Carolina.
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 Winnsboro Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Broad River At Alston | 3,340 cfs | → |
| Rocky Creek At Great Falls | 32 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Below Lk Murray Dam Nr Columbia | 2,400 cfs | → |
| Smith Branch At North Main St At Columbia | 2 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Near Columbia | 2,520 cfs | → |
| Broad River Near Carlisle | 1,780 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Winnsboro Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Broad River Road Newberry County
- Lake Carolina Drive Richland County
- Morning Sun Court 98, Richland County
- Highway 6 6, Columbia
- Cove Launch Court Lexington County
Campgrounds
- Rocky Branch Seasonal Camp
- Camp Longridge
- Woodmen Of The World Park
- Lake Wateree State Rec Area
- Sesquicentennial State Park
- Dreher Island State Rec Area
Fishing spots
Track Winnsboro Reservoir 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 Winnsboro Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Winnsboro Reservoir 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 Low 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 Winnsboro Reservoir Dam.