Great Falls-Dearborn Dam dam
Great Falls-Dearborn Dam
Great Falls-Dearborn Dam, located in Great Falls, South Carolina, is a gravity dam on the Catawba River primarily used for hydroelectric purposes. Standing at a height of 113 feet, the dam was completed in 1923 and has a storage capacity of 2043 acre-feet. With a structure length of 950 feet, the dam plays a crucial role in harnessing the power of water to generate electricity in the region.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Great Falls-Dearborn Dam is a significant infrastructure that contributes to the overall energy production in the area. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment is currently not available, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its safety and efficiency. With its historical significance and impact on the local ecosystem, the dam serves as a key landmark in the region for water resource and climate enthusiasts.
As one of the essential structures on the Catawba River, Great Falls-Dearborn Dam serves as a vital component in the water management system of the area. Its role in hydropower generation and its impact on the surrounding environment make it a focal point for stakeholders interested in sustainable water resource management and climate resilience efforts. With its rich history and operational significance, the dam continues to play a crucial role in balancing energy needs with environmental considerations 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 Great Falls-Dearborn Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Creek At Great Falls | 8 cfs | → |
| Fishing Creek Below Fort Lawn | 24 cfs | → |
| Catawba River Below Catawba | 1,340 cfs | → |
| Waxhaw Creek At Sr1103 Near Jackson | 1 cfs | → |
| Wildcat Creek Below Rock Hill | 4 cfs | → |
| Wateree River Nr. Camden | 1,030 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Great Falls-Dearborn Dam.
Boat launches
- Green Road Lancaster County
- Lancaster County
- Buck Hill Landing Road Kershaw County
- Catawba Nation Greenway Trail York County
- West Dekalb Street Lugoff
- Morning Sun Court 98, Richland County
Campgrounds
- Lake Wateree State Rec Area
- Camp Longridge
- Wateree Military
- Andrew Jackson State Park
- Chester State Park
- Cane Creek Park
Track Great Falls-Dearborn 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 Great Falls-Dearborn Dam
Where does the data for Great Falls-Dearborn 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 Great Falls-Dearborn Dam.