Swints Lake Dam dam
Swints Lake Dam
Swints Lake Dam, located in Aiken, South Carolina, was completed in 1951 and serves as a crucial water resource for the area, with a storage capacity of 408 acre-feet. The dam stands at a height of 37 feet and spans 300 feet in length, primarily designed for recreational purposes. However, recent assessments indicate a high hazard potential and poor condition, highlighting the need for maintenance and potential risk management measures.
The dam is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), with state inspections and enforcement in place to ensure public safety. Despite its earth core and buttress design, the dam's spillway is currently listed as uncontrolled, raising concerns about its ability to manage excess water flow during heavy rainfall events. With a risk assessment rating of moderate (3), stakeholders are urged to implement proactive measures to address the dam's deteriorating condition and mitigate potential hazards to surrounding communities.
As a private-owned structure, Swints Lake Dam's operation and maintenance fall on the responsibility of its owners, emphasizing the importance of regular inspections and adherence to safety guidelines. Additionally, the involvement of federal agencies such as the US Army Corps of Engineers is non-existent, further underscoring the local authority's role in managing and safeguarding this vital water resource. Collaborative efforts between stakeholders, regulators, and the community are essential to ensure the long-term viability and safety of Swints Lake Dam for future generations.
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 Swints Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta Canal Nr Augusta (Upper) | 2,130 cfs | → |
| Savannah River At Augusta | 4,580 cfs | → |
| Butler Creek Below 7th Avenue | 27 cfs | → |
| Stevens Creek Near Modoc | 1,300 cfs | → |
| Spirit Creek At Us 1 | 27 cfs | → |
| Mctier Creek (Rd 209) Near Monetta | 20 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Swints Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Burnettown
- Mccormick County
- Columbia County
- Saint John's Road, Clarks Hill
- Lake Springs Road Columbia County
- Ridge Road 5943, Columbia County
Campgrounds
- Lick Fork Lake Recreation Area
- Lick Fork Lake
- Modoc - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Hamilton Branch State Park
- Petersburg - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Ridge Road - Strom Thurmond Lake
Fishing spots
Track Swints Lake 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 Swints Lake Dam
Where does the data for Swints Lake 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 Swints Lake Dam.