Crystal Lakes Lower Dam dam
Crystal Lakes Lower Dam
Crystal Lakes Lower Dam in Aiken, South Carolina, is a state-regulated structure with a height of 26 feet and a storage capacity of 70 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is currently in poor condition, as per the last inspection in August 2017. The dam is under the jurisdiction of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place.
Located in Congressional District 02, South Carolina, Crystal Lakes Lower Dam is a crucial part of the local water resource infrastructure. While the dam's primary purpose and design details are not specified in the data, its association with the Charleston District of the US Army Corps of Engineers indicates federal interest in its operations. With no associated structures and a relatively low risk profile, the dam stands as a key asset for water management in the region.
Although the dam's condition assessment raises concerns, the regular inspection schedule and state oversight suggest a commitment to ensuring the safety and functionality of Crystal Lakes Lower Dam. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, monitoring the maintenance and potential improvements to this essential infrastructure can provide valuable insights into the intersection of environmental management and community resilience in South Carolina.
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 Crystal Lakes Lower Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Savannah River At Augusta | 3,780 cfs | → |
| Augusta Canal Nr Augusta (Upper) | 2,240 cfs | → |
| Butler Creek Below 7th Avenue | 8 cfs | → |
| Spirit Creek At Us 1 | 9 cfs | → |
| Mctier Creek (Rd 209) Near Monetta | 1 cfs | → |
| Brier Creek Near Waynesboro | 92 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Crystal Lakes Lower Dam.
Boat launches
- Burnettown
- Mccormick County
- Columbia County
- Saint John's Road, Clarks Hill
- Lake Springs Road Columbia County
Campgrounds
- Aiken State Park
- Lick Fork Lake Recreation Area
- Lick Fork Lake
- Lake Leitner Military
- Barnwell State Park
- Petersburg - Strom Thurmond Lake
Fishing spots
Track Crystal Lakes Lower 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 Crystal Lakes Lower Dam
Where does the data for Crystal Lakes Lower 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 Crystal Lakes Lower Dam.