Lake Bowen Dam dam
Lake Bowen Dam
Lake Bowen Dam, located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, stands as a vital structure for local water supply, recreation, and other purposes. Completed in 1956, this buttress dam spans 660 feet in length and reaches a height of 55 feet, with a storage capacity of 32,000 acre-feet. The dam controls the flow of the South Pacolet River, providing a surface area of 1,450 acres for recreational activities and a normal storage capacity of 22,400 acre-feet.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC), Lake Bowen Dam is subject to regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. With a hazard potential classified as high and a fair condition assessment as of August 2019, the dam's emergency action plan (EAP) is crucial for risk management and preparedness in case of unforeseen events. Despite its age, the dam continues to serve the community effectively, reflecting the importance of proper maintenance and monitoring for water resource enthusiasts and climate advocates alike.
Lake Bowen Dam stands as a testament to the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience. As a key infrastructure for water supply and recreation in Spartanburg County, this multi-arch buttress dam plays a vital role in regulating the South Pacolet River. With its significant storage capacity and surface area, the dam provides essential resources for the community while requiring diligent oversight and adherence to regulatory standards set by the state. As climate change impacts water resources worldwide, structures like Lake Bowen Dam highlight the importance of sustainable water management practices and proactive risk assessment measures to safeguard against potential hazards and ensure the long-term viability of essential infrastructure.
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 Bowen Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Pacolet River At Fingerville | 50 cfs | → |
| Pacolet River Near Fingerville | 75 cfs | → |
| South Pacolet River Nr Campobello | 19 cfs | → |
| Pacolet River Below Lake Blalock Near Cowpens | 88 cfs | → |
| Middle Tyger River Near Gramling | 7 cfs | → |
| Middle Tyger River Near Lyman | 7 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Bowen Dam.
Boat launches
- Anchor Park
- Sandy Ford Road 1925, Chesnee
- Berry Shoals Road 370, Spartanburg County
- J. Verne Smith Park (Lake Robinson)
- Memorial Highway 2693, Lake Lure
- First Broad River Trail Shelby
Campgrounds
- Croft State Natural Area
- River Creek Camp Ground
- Paris Mountain State Park
- Pleasant Ridge County Park
- Shelby Mission Camp
- Creekside Mountain Camping
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Mills River From Confluence Of North/South Forks To Confluence With Foster Creek
- North Fork From Bottom Of Spillway Of Hendersonville Reservoir To Confluence With South Fork
- Nf Boundary To Confluence With North Fork
- South Fork From Confluence With Pigeon Br To Nf Boundary
- Linville Wilderness Boundary To Lake James
- Dark Prong From Headwaters To Confluence East Fork And Yellowstone Prong
Track Lake Bowen 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 Bowen Dam
Where does the data for Lake Bowen 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 Bowen Dam.