Shuler Dam dam
Shuler Dam
Shuler Dam, located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, was completed in 1955 and serves as a recreational spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts. The dam, standing at 18 feet tall and stretching 575 feet in length, is primarily made of earth with a stone core and sits on a soil foundation. With a storage capacity of 89 acre-feet and a surface area of 13 acres, Shuler Dam offers a picturesque setting for outdoor activities along the TR-FOUR HOLE SWAMP.
This private-owned dam is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and undergoes regular inspections, with its last assessment in December 2019 rating its condition as fair. Classified as a significant hazard potential structure, Shuler Dam has an emergency action plan in place to ensure the safety of surrounding communities in case of any unforeseen events. The dam's risk assessment and management measures are currently under evaluation, demonstrating a commitment to maintaining the structure's integrity and protecting the environment.
Although Shuler Dam does not have a spillway or locks, it remains a key feature in the Savannah District managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. The dam is a testament to the importance of managing water resources effectively, providing both recreational opportunities and necessary safeguards to mitigate potential risks associated with its operation. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Shuler Dam stands as a symbol of responsible water management and environmental stewardship 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 Shuler Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Fork Edisto River At Orangeburg | 234 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Bamberg | 238 cfs | → |
| Wateree R. Bl Eastover | 2,400 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Cope | 235 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Denmark | 226 cfs | → |
| Santee River Near Pineville | 638 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Shuler Dam.
Boat launches
- Landing Lane Calhoun County
- Coveside Circle 28, Calhoun County
- Boy Scout Circle Orangeburg County
- Santee Drive Orangeburg County
- Shillings Bridge Road Orangeburg County
- Palmetto Trail Lake Marion Passage Clarendon County
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
Track Shuler 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 Shuler Dam
Where does the data for Shuler 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 Significant 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 Shuler Dam.