Webb Dam dam
Webb Dam
Webb Dam, located in Aiken, South Carolina, serves as a recreational water resource along Bear Island Creek. Built in 1960, this private earth dam stands at a height of 21 feet and stretches 1895 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 84 acre-feet, it offers opportunities for outdoor activities on its 15-acre surface area. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition was assessed as poor in 2017, signaling a need for maintenance and improvements to ensure its long-term safety and functionality.
Managed by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Webb Dam is subject to state regulations, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. Although its primary purpose is for recreation, the dam's condition assessment and risk assessment indicate moderate risks that need to be addressed. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and lacks associated structures, presenting a unique challenge for risk management and emergency preparedness. With the involvement of the local community and stakeholders, efforts to enhance the dam's safety and resilience can help preserve its recreational value while mitigating potential risks associated with its maintenance.
As a vital water resource in the region, Webb Dam plays a significant role in providing recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. It is important for water resource and climate enthusiasts to stay informed about the dam's condition and risk management measures to ensure the safety and sustainability of this valuable asset. By working together to address the dam's maintenance needs and implement effective risk mitigation strategies, stakeholders can safeguard its recreational benefits while protecting the surrounding environment from potential hazards.
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 Webb Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Savannah River At Augusta | 4,080 cfs | → |
| Butler Creek Below 7th Avenue | 7 cfs | → |
| Augusta Canal Nr Augusta (Upper) | 2,510 cfs | → |
| Spirit Creek At Us 1 | 10 cfs | → |
| Brier Creek Near Waynesboro | 129 cfs | → |
| Stevens Creek Near Modoc | 27 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Webb 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
- Lake Leitner Military
- Lick Fork Lake Recreation Area
- Lick Fork Lake
- Aiken State Park
- Petersburg - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Wildwood County Park
Fishing spots
Track Webb 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 Webb Dam
Where does the data for Webb 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 Webb Dam.