B F Finley Dam 1 dam
B F Finley Dam 1
B F Finley Dam 1, also known as Findleys Lower Pond Dam, is a privately owned structure located in Pickens, South Carolina. Built in 1961 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 30 feet and has a length of 370 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 199 acre-feet. The primary purpose of the dam is for recreation, offering visitors a serene setting for various outdoor activities.
Despite its recreational appeal, the dam is categorized as having a high hazard potential and a poor condition assessment, with the last inspection conducted in February 2020. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled, and it lacks outlet gates, posing a potential risk to downstream areas in the event of a breach. While the risk assessment is moderate, there is room for improvement in the dam's maintenance and emergency preparedness measures to ensure the safety of surrounding communities and the environment.
Located on the TR-Burdine Creek within the Charleston District, B F Finley Dam 1 serves as a reminder of the importance of proper dam management and maintenance in safeguarding water resources and mitigating climate-related risks. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is crucial to advocate for regular inspections, maintenance, and emergency response plans to minimize potential hazards and protect the integrity of vital infrastructure like B F Finley Dam 1.
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 B F Finley Dam 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Saluda River Near Greenville | 134 cfs | → |
| Reedy River Near Greenville | 19 cfs | → |
| Twelvemile Creek Near Liberty | 38 cfs | → |
| South Saluda River Near Cleveland | 5 cfs | → |
| Brushy Creek Near Greenville | 4 cfs | → |
| Middle Saluda River Near Cleveland | 16 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near B F Finley Dam 1.
Boat launches
- Buckskin Road Pickens County
- Crow Creek Access Road Pickens County
- J. Verne Smith Park (Lake Robinson)
- Arden Road Greenville County
- Cabin Road 398, Pickens County
- Fall Creek Landing
Campgrounds
- Paris Mountain State Park
- Table Rock State Park
- Pleasant Ridge County Park
- Cantrell Campsite
- Black Forest Family Camping Resort
- Camp Burgess Glen Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Sloan's Bridge Crossing, Crossing Of Sc 107
- 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)
- 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
- 1/4 Mile Below Walhalla Fish Hatchery To Boundary Of Chattooga Wsr
Track B F Finley Dam 1 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 B F Finley Dam 1
Where does the data for B F Finley Dam 1 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 B F Finley Dam 1.