Bridlewood Upper Dam dam
Bridlewood Upper Dam
Bridlewood Upper Dam, located in Chesterfield, South Carolina, was completed in 1977 and serves as a vital water resource for the area. Managed by a private owner, the dam is primarily used for recreation purposes, offering a serene setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy activities such as fishing, boating, and picnicking. With a storage capacity of 60 acre-feet and a surface area of 7 acres, the dam plays a crucial role in maintaining the water levels of Thompson Creek.
Despite its importance, the dam's current condition is assessed as poor, with a significant hazard potential identified. Regular inspections are conducted to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure, with the most recent assessment done in January 2021. With its earth core and stone foundation, the dam stands at a height of 10 feet and spans a length of 390 feet. While the dam is state-regulated and inspected, efforts to improve its condition and reduce potential risks may be necessary to safeguard the surrounding community and enhance its recreational value.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, the management and maintenance of dams like Bridlewood Upper Dam become increasingly crucial. With a focus on risk assessment and management, as well as emergency preparedness, stakeholders must work together to address the dam's poor condition and mitigate potential hazards. By prioritizing safety measures and investing in necessary upgrades, Bridlewood Upper Dam can continue to provide essential water resources and recreational opportunities for the community while adapting to the changing climate dynamics.
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 Bridlewood Upper Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pee Dee River Nr Bennettsville | 2,310 cfs | → |
| Black Creek Near Mcbee | 23 cfs | → |
| Pee Dee R Nr Rockingham | 1,780 cfs | → |
| Black Creek Near Hartsville | 39 cfs | → |
| Big Shoe Heel Creek Nr Laurinburg | 14 cfs | → |
| Black Creek Near Quinby | 119 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bridlewood Upper Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Baldwins Pond
- Blewett Falls Lake Grassy Island
- Arrowhead Lake
- Broadacres Lake
- Broadacres Lakes
- Big Branch
Track Bridlewood Upper 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 Bridlewood Upper Dam
Where does the data for Bridlewood Upper 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 Bridlewood Upper Dam.