Lake Cunningham Dam dam
Lake Cunningham Dam
Lake Cunningham Dam, located in Greenville, South Carolina, is a gravity dam constructed in 1956 for the primary purpose of water supply. This privately owned structure stands at 24 feet high and spans 600 feet in length, with a maximum storage capacity of 3,175 acre-feet and a normal storage of 630 acre-feet. The dam overlooks the South Tyger River and is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).
With a hazard potential rated as high and a fair condition assessment as of January 2020, Lake Cunningham Dam is subject to regular inspections every two years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Despite being a privately owned dam, it is state-regulated and permitted, reflecting the commitment to maintaining its operational efficiency. The dam plays a crucial role in providing water supply to the surrounding area and serves as a key infrastructure for managing water resources in the region.
Lake Cunningham Dam's architectural design as a multi-arch gravity dam built on rock foundations showcases the engineering ingenuity behind its construction. Its significant storage capacity, coupled with its strategic location along the South Tyger River, highlights its importance in water management and climate resilience efforts. As a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts, this dam serves as a vital asset in ensuring sustainable water supply and environmental conservation 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 Lake Cunningham Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Beaverdam Creek Above Greer | 14 cfs | → |
| Middle Tyger River Near Gramling | 7 cfs | → |
| Brushy Creek Near Greenville | 4 cfs | → |
| Middle Tyger River Near Lyman | 7 cfs | → |
| South Tyger River Below Duncan | 22 cfs | → |
| Enoree River At Pelham | 48 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Cunningham Dam.
Boat launches
- J. Verne Smith Park (Lake Robinson)
- Berry Shoals Road 370, Spartanburg County
- Anchor Park
- Buckskin Road Pickens County
- Sandy Ford Road 1925, Chesnee
- Arden Road Greenville County
Campgrounds
- Paris Mountain State Park
- Pleasant Ridge County Park
- Croft State Natural Area
- Camp Burgess Glen Lake
- Black Forest Family Camping Resort
- Table Rock State Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- South Fork From Confluence With Pigeon Br To Nf Boundary
- Mills River From Confluence Of North/South Forks To Confluence With Foster Creek
- North Fork From Bottom Of Spillway Of Hendersonville Reservoir To Confluence With South Fork
- Nf Boundary To Confluence With North Fork
- Dark Prong From Headwaters To Confluence East Fork And Yellowstone Prong
- East Fork From Us Highway 276 To Confluence Of Dark Prong And Yellowstone Prong
Track Lake Cunningham 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 Lake Cunningham Dam
Where does the data for Lake Cunningham 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 Lake Cunningham Dam.