White Pines Lake Dam dam
White Pines Lake Dam
White Pines Lake Dam, also known as the J Carlisle Oxner Dam, is a state-owned structure located in Union, South Carolina. Completed in 1954, this earth dam stands at 16 feet high and spans 300 feet in length, creating a reservoir with a maximum storage capacity of 94 acre-feet. The primary purpose of the dam is to serve as a fish and wildlife pond, providing recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike.
Situated on the TR-Spear Creek, White Pines Lake Dam is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC) and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. The dam has a fair condition assessment, with a significant hazard potential due to its proximity to populated areas. Despite this, the dam has a well-maintained emergency action plan (EAP) and meets regulatory guidelines for safety measures.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, White Pines Lake Dam offers a fascinating look into the management of a vital water infrastructure. With its connection to fish and wildlife conservation, along with its recreational value, the dam serves as both a functional resource and a scenic destination in the heart of 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 White Pines Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lawsons Fork Creek At Spartanburg Sc | 29 cfs | → |
| Pacolet River Below Lake Blalock Near Cowpens | 88 cfs | → |
| Broad River Below Cherokee Falls | 576 cfs | → |
| Broad River Near Gaffney | 1,890 cfs | → |
| Enoree River Near Woodruff | 115 cfs | → |
| Tyger River Near Delta | 333 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near White Pines Lake Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Croft State Natural Area
- Sedalia Campground
- Sedalia
- Poulous Loop Group Camp
- Woods Ferry
- Woods Ferry Recreation Area
Fishing spots
Track White Pines Lake 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 White Pines Lake Dam
Where does the data for White Pines Lake 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 White Pines Lake Dam.