Harold E Frick Dam dam
Harold E Frick Dam
Harold E Frick Dam, located in Saluda, South Carolina, was completed in 1940 and serves as a vital recreational reservoir for the region. With a dam height of 23 feet and a length of 460 feet, the earth dam primarily functions to provide recreational opportunities for water enthusiasts. The dam holds a maximum storage capacity of 194 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 86 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 18 acres.
Despite its significant role in providing recreational activities, the dam's condition assessment is rated as poor, with a low hazard potential. The last inspection in October 2017 revealed the need for maintenance and possibly rehabilitation to ensure the safety and longevity of the structure. The dam falls under private ownership and is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to oversee its operations.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Harold E Frick Dam presents an intriguing case study of the intersection between recreational use and dam safety. As efforts continue to maintain and improve the dam's condition, there is a need for ongoing monitoring and potential risk management measures to ensure the sustainability of this essential water resource in the region. With its historical significance and environmental impact, the dam serves as a focal point for discussions on balancing human enjoyment of water resources with the need for responsible stewardship and maintenance.
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 Harold E Frick Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mctier Creek (Rd 209) Near Monetta | 7 cfs | → |
| Bush River Nr Prosperity | 169 cfs | → |
| Little River Nr Silverstreet | 231 cfs | → |
| Saluda River At Chappells | 4,110 cfs | → |
| Lake Greenwood Tailrace Nr Chappells | 4,240 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Below Lk Murray Dam Nr Columbia | 764 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Harold E Frick Dam.
Boat launches
- 844 Riverbend Point, Leesville, Sc 29070
- Sandlapper Way 159, Lexington County
- Cabana Way Lexington County
- Eastshore Drive 143, Lexington County
- Sassafras Lane Newberry County
- Park Marina Drive 79, Newberry County
Campgrounds
- Boggy Campground
- Dreher Island State Rec Area
- Faulkner Mountain Campground
- Lick Fork Lake
- Aiken State Park
- Lick Fork Lake Recreation Area
Fishing spots
- Lick Fork Lake
- Lake Olmstead
- J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir
- Cherokee Creek
- Parsons Mountain Lake
- Cliatt Creek
Track Harold E Frick 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 Harold E Frick Dam
Where does the data for Harold E Frick 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 Harold E Frick Dam.