Martin Ribar Dam dam
Martin Ribar Dam
Martin Ribar Dam, located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, is a private-owned structure primarily used for recreation purposes. Completed in 1970, this earth dam stands at a height of 26 feet and spans 320 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 90 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition was assessed as unsatisfactory during the last inspection in May 2017.
This dam, situated on TR-Bear Creek, is under the regulatory oversight of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC). While it is state-regulated and permitted, with regular inspections and enforcement measures in place, the dam's emergency action plan status and risk assessment are currently listed as unknown. With its picturesque surroundings and recreational opportunities, Martin Ribar Dam serves as a vital water resource within the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the significance of Martin Ribar Dam as a key recreational asset in South Carolina. Its structural design, storage capacity, and regulatory framework provide insights into the management of water resources in the area. As climate change impacts continue to affect water infrastructure, monitoring and maintenance of dams like Martin Ribar will be crucial for ensuring public safety and sustainable water management practices in the future.
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 Martin Ribar Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Pacolet River At Fingerville | 50 cfs | → |
| Pacolet River Near Fingerville | 75 cfs | → |
| South Pacolet River Nr Campobello | 19 cfs | → |
| Pacolet River Below Lake Blalock Near Cowpens | 88 cfs | → |
| Middle Tyger River Near Gramling | 7 cfs | → |
| Cove Creek Near Lake Lure | 34 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Martin Ribar Dam.
Boat launches
- Anchor Park
- Sandy Ford Road 1925, Chesnee
- J. Verne Smith Park (Lake Robinson)
- Memorial Highway 2693, Lake Lure
- Berry Shoals Road 370, Spartanburg County
- First Broad River Trail Shelby
Campgrounds
- River Creek Camp Ground
- Croft State Natural Area
- Vein Mountain Gold Camp & Carolina Emerald Mine
- Lucky Strike Campground
- Creekside Mountain Camping
- Paris Mountain State Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Mills River From Confluence Of North/South Forks To Confluence With Foster Creek
- Nf Boundary To Confluence With North Fork
- North Fork From Bottom Of Spillway Of Hendersonville Reservoir To Confluence With South Fork
- South Fork From Confluence With Pigeon Br To Nf Boundary
- Linville Wilderness Boundary To Lake James
- Linville Gorge Wilderness Boundary To Southern End Of Wilderness
Track Martin Ribar 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 Martin Ribar Dam
Where does the data for Martin Ribar 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 Martin Ribar Dam.