John J Lewis Dam dam
John J Lewis Dam
John J Lewis Dam, located in Aiken, South Carolina, was completed in 1915 and stands as a testament to early engineering ingenuity. The dam, primarily designed for recreation, holds a maximum storage capacity of 75 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 53 acre-feet. Situated on the Clarks Mill Creek, the earth dam with a height of 14 feet and a length of 275 feet provides essential water resources for the region while offering opportunities for outdoor activities.
Despite its historical significance, the dam's condition assessment is marked as poor, with a low hazard potential. The last inspection in December 2017 highlighted the need for maintenance and improvements to ensure the structure's long-term stability. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control oversees the dam's regulatory aspects, including permitting, inspection, and enforcement, to safeguard the surrounding area from potential risks.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts explore the role of dams in sustainable water management, John J Lewis Dam serves as a case study in balancing recreation and safety. With a rich history dating back over a century, the dam continues to provide valuable insights into the challenges of maintaining aging infrastructure while meeting modern regulatory standards. As discussions on risk assessment and management evolve, the dam's condition assessment and hazard potential offer valuable lessons for future decision-making in water resource management.
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 John J Lewis Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mctier Creek (Rd 209) Near Monetta | 1 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Denmark | 214 cfs | → |
| Augusta Canal Nr Augusta (Upper) | 2,240 cfs | → |
| Savannah River At Augusta | 3,780 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Cope | 217 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Below Lk Murray Dam Nr Columbia | 770 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near John J Lewis Dam.
Boat launches
- Burnettown
- Savannah Highway Neeses
- Sandlapper Way 159, Lexington County
- Cabana Way Lexington County
- Eastshore Drive 143, Lexington County
- Shull Island Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track John J Lewis 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 John J Lewis Dam
Where does the data for John J Lewis 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 John J Lewis Dam.