Joseph Headden Dam dam
Joseph Headden Dam
Joseph Headden Dam, located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, is a private-owned structure designed to regulate the flow of the TR-North Fork Edisto River for recreational purposes. This earth dam stands at a height of 16 feet and spans a length of 270 feet, with a storage capacity of 65 acre-feet. Despite being primarily used for recreation, the dam is also state-regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, ensuring its safety and compliance with regulations.
With a high hazard potential and fair condition assessment as of the last inspection in November 2019, Joseph Headden Dam is subject to frequent monitoring and maintenance to mitigate risks associated with its operation. The dam does not have a spillway, locks, or outlet gates, highlighting its simple yet crucial role in water resource management for the surrounding area. The presence of a designated Emergency Action Plan (EAP) remains unclear, underscoring the importance of preparedness and risk management for potential emergencies.
Situated within the Savannah District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Joseph Headden Dam is a notable feature along the TR-North Fork Edisto River, offering both recreational opportunities and essential water resource management functions. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, the dam's role in regulating water flow becomes increasingly significant. Climate and water resource enthusiasts are encouraged to monitor the dam's condition and regulatory status to ensure its continued effectiveness in safeguarding the surrounding environment and community.
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 Joseph Headden Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Edisto River Near Denmark | 232 cfs | → |
| North Fork Edisto River At Orangeburg | 237 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Cope | 241 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Bamberg | 243 cfs | → |
| Congaree River At Columbia | 2,320 cfs | → |
| Gills Creek At Columbia | 13 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Joseph Headden Dam.
Track Joseph Headden 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 Joseph Headden Dam
Where does the data for Joseph Headden 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 High 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 Joseph Headden Dam.