Sweetwater Lake Dam dam
Sweetwater Lake Dam
Sweetwater Lake Dam in South Carolina, managed by a private owner, was completed in 1969 and stands at a height of 27 feet with a length of 705 feet. The dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, with a normal storage capacity of 227 acre-feet and a total storage of 335 acre-feet. Situated on the TR-CAW CAW SWAMP, the dam is regulated by the SC DHEC and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its fair condition and high hazard potential are managed effectively.
The Sweetwater Lake Dam, designed by USDA NRCS, features an earth core and buttress structure with an uncontrolled spillway. Its location in Calhoun, South Carolina, offers a picturesque setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to appreciate the importance of maintaining dam safety and emergency preparedness. With a moderate risk assessment and a history of meeting regulatory guidelines, this dam serves as a vital component in the local ecosystem while providing recreational opportunities for the community.
Despite its fair condition and moderate risk, the Sweetwater Lake Dam continues to be a focal point of interest for those interested in water resource management and climate resilience. With a comprehensive risk management plan in place and regular inspections, the dam remains a significant asset in the Savannah District, reflecting the commitment to balancing recreation with safety and environmental stewardship in the region.
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 Sweetwater Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Fork Edisto River At Orangeburg | 222 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Cope | 217 cfs | → |
| Wateree R. Bl Eastover | 2,400 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Denmark | 214 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Bamberg | 215 cfs | → |
| Gills Creek At Columbia | 12 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sweetwater Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Shillings Bridge Road Orangeburg County
- Savannah Highway Neeses
- Us 601 Calhoun County
- Landing Lane Calhoun County
- Bobcat Landing Road , 29003
- Cannon Bridge Road ,
Track Sweetwater 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 Sweetwater Lake Dam
Where does the data for Sweetwater 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 Sweetwater Lake Dam.