Great Falls-Dearborn Saddle Dike dam
Great Falls-Dearborn Saddle Dike
The Great Falls-Dearborn Saddle Dike, also known as the Canal Embankment, is a public utility structure located in South Carolina along the Catawba River. Built in 1907 for hydroelectric purposes, this earth dam stands at a height of 52 feet and spans 450 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 2043 acre-feet and a drainage area of 4140 acres, this dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and energy generation in the region.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Great Falls-Dearborn Saddle Dike has a low hazard potential but is classified as having a high risk level (2). Despite its historical significance and functional importance, the condition assessment of this dam is currently listed as "Not Available." With no state jurisdiction or regulatory agency overseeing its operations, it is essential for the federal authorities to prioritize inspections and risk management measures to ensure the safety and integrity of this vital infrastructure.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is imperative to monitor and advocate for the maintenance and upkeep of structures like the Great Falls-Dearborn Saddle Dike to safeguard against potential risks and ensure the sustainable utilization of water resources for future generations. By staying informed and engaged in the management of such critical infrastructure, we can contribute to the resilience and efficiency of our water systems in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Saddle Dike -- 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 | 1,290 cfs | → |
| Waxhaw Creek At Sr1103 Near Jackson | 1 cfs | → |
| Wildcat Creek Below Rock Hill | 3 cfs | → |
| Wateree River Nr. Camden | 1,020 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Great Falls-Dearborn Saddle Dike.
Boat launches
- Green Road Lancaster County
- Lancaster County
- Buck Hill Landing Road Kershaw County
- Catawba Nation Greenway Trail York County
- West Dekalb Street Lugoff
- Waterford Trail Rock Hill
Campgrounds
- Lake Wateree State Rec Area
- Camp Longridge
- Wateree Military
- Andrew Jackson State Park
- Cane Creek Park
- Chester State Park
Track Great Falls-Dearborn Saddle Dike 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 Saddle Dike
Where does the data for Great Falls-Dearborn Saddle Dike 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 Great Falls-Dearborn Saddle Dike.