James Cushman Dam dam
James Cushman Dam
Located in Pickens, South Carolina, the James Cushman Dam is a private-owned structure that serves as a recreational spot along the TR-Eastatoe Creek. Completed in 1970, this earth-type dam stands at 43 feet high and spans 160 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 18 acre-feet, the dam offers a serene setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy outdoor activities.
Managed by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, the James Cushman Dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by the state. Despite its fair condition assessment and high hazard potential, the dam continues to provide a safe environment for recreational purposes. The dam's last inspection in December 2020 highlighted its structural integrity, ensuring the safety of visitors and the surrounding ecosystem.
With its picturesque location and vital role in water management, the James Cushman Dam stands as a testament to responsible infrastructure development. As climate change continues to impact water resources, this recreational site serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable practices in preserving our natural landscapes. Whether for leisure or educational purposes, the dam offers a unique opportunity to appreciate the intersection of human ingenuity and environmental stewardship.
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 James Cushman Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| French Broad River At Rosman | 56 cfs | → |
| South Saluda River Near Cleveland | 5 cfs | → |
| Davidson River Near Brevard | 32 cfs | → |
| Middle Saluda River Near Cleveland | 18 cfs | → |
| Twelvemile Creek Near Liberty | 40 cfs | → |
| French Broad River At Blantyre | 260 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near James Cushman Dam.
Boat launches
- Cabin Road 398, Pickens County
- Devils Fork Road Oconee County
- White Oak Hill Road Oconee County
- Crow Creek Access Road Pickens County
- Landing Road Oconee County
- Fall Creek Landing
Campgrounds
- Virginia Hawkins Campsite
- Cantrell Campsite
- Toxaway Creek Campsites
- Rock Creek Campsite
- Laurel Fork Campsite
- Heath Pine Ridge Campsite
Fishing spots
- Bear Creek Lake
- Presbyterian Lake
- Yonah Lake
- Tallulah Falls Lake
- Asheville Recreation Park Lake
- Lake Rabun
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Sloan's Bridge Crossing, Crossing Of Sc 107
- Sloan's Bridge Crossing To 1/4 Mile Above The Walhalla Fish Hatchery
- 1/4 Mile Above The Walhalla Fish Hatchery To 1/4 Mile Below The Walhalla Fish Hatchery
- 1/4 Mile Below Walhalla Fish Hatchery To Boundary Of Chattooga Wsr
- Beginning Just Upstream Of Townes Creek,Wash Branch And Crane Creek To Confluence With Kings Creek
- Yellowstone Prong From Headwaters To Confluence With East Fork And Yellowstone Prong
Track James Cushman 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 James Cushman Dam
Where does the data for James Cushman 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 James Cushman Dam.