Lake Inspiration Dam dam
Lake Inspiration Dam
Lake Inspiration Dam, located in Calhoun, South Carolina, stands as a testament to the ingenuity of local government in harnessing the power of water resources for recreational purposes. Completed in 1940, this earth dam boasts a height of 17 feet and a length of 700 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 140 acre-feet. The dam's primary purpose is recreation, offering visitors a serene 23-acre surface area for boating, fishing, and other leisure activities.
Managed by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Lake Inspiration Dam is subject to regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety for nearby residents and visitors. Classified with a high hazard potential and fair condition assessment, the dam's emergency action plan is up-to-date, last revised in February 2016. Despite its age, the dam continues to serve as a vital resource for the community, attracting water and climate enthusiasts seeking solace and inspiration in its tranquil waters.
As part of the Savannah District under the US Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Inspiration Dam plays a vital role in water resource management in the region. With a local government ownership structure, the dam reflects a commitment to sustainable development and responsible stewardship of natural resources. For those passionate about water conservation and climate resilience, Lake Inspiration Dam stands as a beacon of innovation and a source of recreation and solace in the heart of 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 Lake Inspiration Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wateree R. Bl Eastover | 2,400 cfs | → |
| North Fork Edisto River At Orangeburg | 222 cfs | → |
| Gills Creek At Columbia | 12 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Bamberg | 215 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Cope | 217 cfs | → |
| Congaree River At Columbia | 2,340 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Inspiration Dam.
Boat launches
- Us 601 Calhoun County
- Shillings Bridge Road Orangeburg County
- Landing Lane Calhoun County
- Coveside Circle 28, Calhoun County
- Savannah Highway Neeses
- Boy Scout Circle Orangeburg County
Track Lake Inspiration 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 Lake Inspiration Dam
Where does the data for Lake Inspiration 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 Lake Inspiration Dam.