Crystal Lake Dam dam
Crystal Lake Dam
Crystal Lake Dam, located in Oconee, South Carolina, is a privately owned earth dam constructed in 1948 with a primary purpose of recreation. Managed by the USDA NRCS, the dam stands at 30 feet high and spans 185 feet in length, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 644 acre-feet. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled, and its hazard potential is classified as high, with a fair condition assessment as of November 2019.
Situated on Jerry Creek, the dam's location offers a serene and natural setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy activities such as fishing, boating, and picnicking. While the dam is regulated by the SC DHEC and undergoes regular inspections, its risk assessment is moderate. The surrounding area boasts a surface area of 56 acres, providing ample space for visitors to explore and appreciate the beauty of the landscape. With a rich history dating back to its construction over 70 years ago, Crystal Lake Dam continues to be a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking a tranquil retreat 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 Crystal Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chattooga River Near Clayton | 632 cfs | → |
| Tallulah River Ab Powerhouse | 43 cfs | → |
| Tallulah River Near Clayton | 244 cfs | → |
| Twelvemile Creek Near Liberty | 180 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee River Near Prentiss | 309 cfs | → |
| Cartoogechaye Creek Near Franklin | 261 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Crystal Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- High Falls Road Oconee County
- Fall Creek Landing
- Landing Road Oconee County
- White Oak Hill Road Oconee County
- Devils Fork Road Oconee County
- Cabin Road 398, Pickens County
Campgrounds
- Oconee State Park
- Cassidy Bridge Hunt Camp
- Long Bottom Ford
- Sandy Beach Campsite
- Cherry Hill Recreation Area
- Sarahs Creek
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Crpssing Of Land Bridge Road, Sc 196 To 1/4 Mile Below Fs 745 And Cassidy Bridge Hunt Camp
- South Of Cedar Creek Rifle Range To Confluence With Chauga River
- 1/4 Mile Below Fs 745 And Cassidy Bridge Hunt Camp To Confluence Of Cedar Creek
- Headwaters Just East Of Hwy 107 To Crossing Of Norton Field Road (Fs 715a)
- Earl's Ford To Route 76 (Section 3)
- Highway 28 To Earl's Ford (Section 2)
Track Crystal 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 Crystal Lake Dam
Where does the data for Crystal 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 Crystal Lake Dam.