Blakely Dam dam
Blakely Dam
Blakely Dam, also known as Grace Dam 1, is a privately owned structure in Laurens, South Carolina, with a height of 26 feet and a length of 1650 feet. Completed in 1989, this earth dam serves a primary purpose that is classified as "Other." It has a normal storage capacity of 580 acre-feet and a maximum storage capacity of 930 acre-feet, making it a significant contributor to water resource management in the area.
Located on Warrior Creek offstream, Blakely Dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and storage in the region. Despite being privately owned, the dam is subject to state regulation, inspection, and enforcement by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). With a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Blakely Dam continues to provide essential water management functions while maintaining safety standards.
Although not associated with any federal agencies, Blakely Dam remains an important part of the local water infrastructure. With its strategic location and storage capacity, this structure contributes to the overall resilience of the water resources in the area. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the role and significance of dams like Blakely Dam is essential for effective water management and climate adaptation efforts in the region.
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 Blakely Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Enoree River Near Woodruff | 111 cfs | → |
| South Rabon Creek Near Gray Court | 6 cfs | → |
| Durbin Creek Above Fountain Inn | 5 cfs | → |
| Reedy River Above Fork Shoals | 78 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Near Ware Shoals | 231 cfs | → |
| Enoree River At Pelham | 48 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Blakely Dam.
Boat launches
- Garlington Drive Laurens County
- Berry Shoals Road 370, Spartanburg County
- Arden Road Greenville County
- Arrowhead Drive Greenwood County
Campgrounds
- Sedalia Campground
- Sedalia
- Brick House
- Brick House Campground
- Croft State Natural Area
- Collins Creek Seasonal Camp
Fishing spots
Track Blakely 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 Blakely Dam
Where does the data for Blakely 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 Blakely Dam.