Francis W Caughman Dam dam
Francis W Caughman Dam
Located in Aiken, South Carolina, the Francis W Caughman Dam is a privately owned structure that serves as a recreational hub for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Completed in 1938, this earth dam stands at a height of 17 feet and spans a length of 870 feet along the Hollow Creek. With a normal storage capacity of 92 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 138 acre-feet, the dam offers ample surface area for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and birdwatching.
Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment in 2017 revealed a poor rating, prompting the need for regular inspections and maintenance to ensure public safety. Managed by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), the dam is under state jurisdiction with permitting, inspection, and enforcement procedures in place. While the risk assessment indicates a moderate level of risk, appropriate risk management measures are essential to safeguard the dam's structural integrity and prevent potential emergencies.
With Congressman Joe Wilson representing the area, the Francis W Caughman Dam remains a popular destination for locals and visitors alike, offering a tranquil retreat amidst South Carolina's natural beauty. As a vital component of the region's water resource infrastructure, maintaining the dam's functionality and safety standards is paramount for sustainable water management and environmental conservation efforts in the area.
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 Francis W Caughman Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Edisto River Near Denmark | 222 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Cope | 225 cfs | → |
| North Fork Edisto River At Orangeburg | 226 cfs | → |
| Mctier Creek (Rd 209) Near Monetta | 1 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Bamberg | 225 cfs | → |
| Congaree River At Columbia | 2,320 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Francis W Caughman Dam.
Boat launches
- Savannah Highway Neeses
- Shillings Bridge Road Orangeburg County
- Bobcat Landing Road , 29003
- Cannon Bridge Road ,
- Cabana Way Lexington County
- Sandlapper Way 159, Lexington County
Campgrounds
Track Francis W Caughman 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 Francis W Caughman Dam
Where does the data for Francis W Caughman 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 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 Francis W Caughman Dam.