Blue Circle Dam dam
Blue Circle Dam
Blue Circle Dam, located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, is a privately owned structure built in 1880 primarily for recreational purposes. Standing at a height of 10 feet and spanning a length of 375 feet, the dam holds a storage capacity of 232 acre-feet with a surface area of 37 acres. Situated on the Mill Branch river, the dam is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, ensuring its compliance with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement regulations.
Despite its low hazard potential and "Not Rated" condition assessment, Blue Circle Dam remains a key feature for water resource and climate enthusiasts in the region. With its earth core and buttress design, the dam provides a serene recreational space for locals and visitors alike. While the dam has not undergone recent modifications or assessments, its historical significance and impact on the surrounding environment make it a noteworthy site for those interested in water infrastructure and conservation efforts.
Managed by a private owner, Blue Circle Dam serves as a tranquil oasis in the heart of Orangeburg, offering opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation. With its close proximity to the Savannah District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, the dam stands as a testament to the intersection of human ingenuity and natural beauty, making it a compelling destination for exploration and appreciation of water resources in South Carolina.
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 Blue Circle Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Fork Edisto River At Orangeburg | 237 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Bamberg | 243 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Cope | 241 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Denmark | 232 cfs | → |
| Wateree R. Bl Eastover | 2,400 cfs | → |
| Santee River Near Pineville | 603 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Blue Circle Dam.
Boat launches
- Boy Scout Circle Orangeburg County
- Santee Drive Orangeburg County
- Coveside Circle 28, Calhoun County
- Landing Lane Calhoun County
- Palmetto Trail Lake Marion Passage Clarendon County
- Red Bank Road 184, Orangeburg County
Campgrounds
- Santee State Park
- Polly's Landing Campground
- Colleton State Park
- Poinsett State Park
- Givhans Ferry State Park
- Bluff Campground
Paddle runs
Track Blue Circle 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 Blue Circle Dam
Where does the data for Blue Circle 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 Blue Circle Dam.