Jefferson Reservoir Dam dam
Jefferson Reservoir Dam
Located in Chesterfield, South Carolina, the Jefferson Reservoir Dam stands as a vital private water supply structure on Fork Creek. Completed in 1995, this earth dam reaches a height of 25 feet and spans a length of 800 feet, with a storage capacity of 1100 acre-feet. The reservoir serves as a key source of water for the surrounding area, with a normal storage level of 573 acre-feet and a surface area of 60 acres.
Despite its fair condition assessment and significant hazard potential, the Jefferson Reservoir Dam remains under state regulation and inspection by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. The last inspection in April 2020 deemed the structure to be in satisfactory condition, with a mandated inspection frequency of every three years. The dam's emergency action plan was last revised in 1998, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and risk management for this crucial water resource infrastructure.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find the Jefferson Reservoir Dam to be a compelling example of private ownership in water supply infrastructure. With its strategic location in South Carolina and reliance on Fork Creek, this earth dam serves as a critical component of the region's water management system. As the dam continues to be regulated, inspected, and maintained, it underscores the importance of proactive risk assessment and emergency preparedness in safeguarding water resources for the 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 Jefferson Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black Creek Near Mcbee | 43 cfs | → |
| Black Creek Near Hartsville | 46 cfs | → |
| Waxhaw Creek At Sr1103 Near Jackson | 1 cfs | → |
| Lynches River Near Bishopville | 136 cfs | → |
| Catawba River Below Catawba | 1,770 cfs | → |
| Fishing Creek Below Fort Lawn | 457 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Jefferson Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Sugarloaf Mountain Rec Area - Sand Hills State Forest
- Williams Farm
- Cane Creek Park
- Cheraw State Park
- H. Cooper Black
- Andrew Jackson State Park
Fishing spots
- Buck Branch
- Arrowhead Lake
- Blewett Falls Lake Grassy Island
- Baldwins Pond
- Broadacres Lake
- Broadacres Lakes
Paddle runs
Track Jefferson Reservoir 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 Jefferson Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Jefferson Reservoir 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 Jefferson Reservoir Dam.