Lake Katherine Dam dam
Lake Katherine Dam
Lake Katherine Dam, located in Richland, South Carolina, is a privately-owned earth dam built in 1941 for recreational purposes. Standing at a height of 15 feet with a length of 900 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 2000 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 142 acres. The dam is situated on Gills Creek and is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).
Despite its primary purpose for recreation, Lake Katherine Dam poses a high hazard potential and was assessed to be in unsatisfactory condition as of March 2021. With an inspection frequency of every two years, the dam has not been modified since its completion. The emergency action plan (EAP) for the dam was last revised in May 2002, and there is no information available on whether it meets current guidelines or if inundation maps have been prepared.
In the event of a dam failure, the community surrounding Lake Katherine Dam would be at risk due to its high hazard potential. While the dam provides recreational opportunities for visitors, it is crucial for stakeholders to ensure its safety and maintenance to prevent any potential risks to the environment and public safety.
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 Katherine Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Gills Creek At Columbia | 14 cfs | → |
| Congaree River At Columbia | 3,030 cfs | → |
| Smith Branch At North Main St At Columbia | 2 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Near Columbia | 861 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Below Lk Murray Dam Nr Columbia | 739 cfs | → |
| Wateree R. Bl Eastover | 2,400 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Katherine Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Carolina Drive Richland County
- Morning Sun Court 98, Richland County
- Highway 6 6, Columbia
- Cove Launch Court Lexington County
- Cabana Way Lexington County
- Eastshore Drive 143, Lexington County
Track Lake Katherine 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 Katherine Dam
Where does the data for Lake Katherine 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 Katherine Dam.