Buzzards Roost Embankment dam
Buzzards Roost Embankment
Buzzards Roost Embankment, located in Greenwood, South Carolina, is a gravity dam constructed in 1940 for hydroelectric power generation and recreation purposes. With a height of 82 feet and a structural height of 82 feet, this dam stands as a vital structure on the Saluda River, providing a storage capacity of 256,000 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 11,400 acres. The dam boasts a controlled spillway with a width of 173 feet and has a maximum discharge capacity of 40,000 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Buzzards Roost Embankment is classified as a high hazard potential dam with a very high risk assessment rating. The dam is associated with two structures and has undergone regular inspections, with the last inspection conducted in September 2020. Despite the lack of available condition assessment data, the emergency action plan for the dam was last revised in January 2021, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and risk management measures for this critical infrastructure.
As an integral component of the water resource and climate landscape in the region, Buzzards Roost Embankment serves as a key player in ensuring water supply, flood control, and recreational opportunities for the surrounding communities. With its historical significance and functional importance, the dam stands as a testament to human ingenuity in harnessing the power of nature for sustainable development 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 Buzzards Roost Embankment -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Greenwood Tailrace Nr Chappells | 4,240 cfs | → |
| Saluda River At Chappells | 4,110 cfs | → |
| Little River Nr Silverstreet | 231 cfs | → |
| Bush River Nr Prosperity | 169 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Near Ware Shoals | 1,590 cfs | → |
| South Rabon Creek Near Gray Court | 100 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Buzzards Roost Embankment .
Boat launches
- Arrowhead Drive Greenwood County
- 844 Riverbend Point, Leesville, Sc 29070
- Garlington Drive Laurens County
- Sassafras Lane Newberry County
- Park Marina Drive 79, Newberry County
Campgrounds
- Lake Greenwood State Park
- Boggy Campground
- Faulkner Mountain Campground
- Brick House Campground
- Brick House
- Parsons Mountain Lake
Fishing spots
Track Buzzards Roost Embankment 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 Buzzards Roost Embankment
Where does the data for Buzzards Roost Embankment 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 Buzzards Roost Embankment .