Saddle Dike No. 1 - Jocassee dam
Saddle Dike No. 1 - Jocassee
Saddle Dike No. 1 in Jocassee, South Carolina, is a significant public utility structure associated with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Completed in 1973, this earth dam stands at a height of 35 feet and spans 825 feet in length, serving primarily for hydroelectric purposes. Situated in Oconee County, the dam's reservoir boasts a storage capacity of 1,160,298 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 7,565 acres and harnessing the power of the Keowee River.
Despite its crucial role in providing hydroelectric power, Saddle Dike No. 1 poses a high hazard potential, prompting regular inspections by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The dam's condition assessment is currently not available, but an Emergency Action Plan was last revised in December 2020 to ensure preparedness for any unforeseen events. Despite its risks, the dam continues to be a vital component of the region's water resource management, reflecting the delicate balance between harnessing nature's power and ensuring public safety.
Located in the scenic surroundings of Clemson, SC, Saddle Dike No. 1 stands as a testament to engineering ingenuity and the ongoing efforts to manage water resources in a sustainable and responsible manner. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the complex interplay between infrastructure development and environmental stewardship at sites like Saddle Dike No. 1 serves as a compelling case study in the quest for a harmonious coexistence between human needs and natural ecosystems.
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 Saddle Dike No. 1 - Jocassee -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| French Broad River At Rosman | 2,420 cfs | → |
| Twelvemile Creek Near Liberty | 156 cfs | → |
| South Saluda River Near Cleveland | 12 cfs | → |
| Chattooga River Near Clayton | 1,010 cfs | → |
| Middle Saluda River Near Cleveland | 81 cfs | → |
| Davidson River Near Brevard | 550 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Saddle Dike No. 1 - Jocassee .
Boat launches
- White Oak Hill Road Oconee County
- Devils Fork Road Oconee County
- Cabin Road 398, Pickens County
- Landing Road Oconee County
- Fall Creek Landing
- Crow Creek Access Road Pickens County
Campgrounds
- Devils Fork State Park
- Keowee - Toxaway State Natural Area
- Laurel Fork Campsite
- Bearcamp Creek Campsite
- Mile Creek County Park
- Bear Creek Campsite
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Sloan's Bridge Crossing, Crossing Of Sc 107
- Sloan's Bridge Crossing To 1/4 Mile Above The Walhalla Fish Hatchery
- 1/4 Mile Above The Walhalla Fish Hatchery To 1/4 Mile Below The Walhalla Fish Hatchery
- Beginning Just Upstream Of Townes Creek,Wash Branch And Crane Creek To Confluence With Kings Creek
- Headwaters Just East Of Hwy 107 To Crossing Of Norton Field Road (Fs 715a)
- 1/4 Mile Below Walhalla Fish Hatchery To Boundary Of Chattooga Wsr
Track Saddle Dike No. 1 - Jocassee 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 Saddle Dike No. 1 - Jocassee
Where does the data for Saddle Dike No. 1 - Jocassee 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 Saddle Dike No. 1 - Jocassee .