Miller Foster Dam dam
Miller Foster Dam
Miller Foster Dam, also known as Johnsons Lake Dam, is a private-owned structure located in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Built in 1970 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 21 feet and stretches 1360 feet in length. Its primary purpose is for recreation, offering a serene environment for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy.
Despite its low hazard potential, Miller Foster Dam is currently assessed as being in poor condition as of June 2017. The dam has a normal storage capacity of 114 acre-feet and a maximum storage capacity of 174 acre-feet, providing essential water resources for the area. The structure is state-regulated and regularly inspected by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control to ensure public safety.
While Miller Foster Dam may face maintenance challenges, it remains a valuable recreational asset in the region. Its association with Foster Creek adds to the natural beauty of the area, making it a popular destination for outdoor activities. With its moderate risk assessment and historical significance, this dam continues to play a vital role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in Spartanburg, 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 Miller Foster Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lawsons Fork Creek At Spartanburg Sc | 29 cfs | → |
| South Tyger River Below Duncan | 21 cfs | → |
| Middle Tyger River Near Lyman | 8 cfs | → |
| Enoree River Near Woodruff | 115 cfs | → |
| Pacolet River Below Lake Blalock Near Cowpens | 88 cfs | → |
| Durbin Creek Above Fountain Inn | 6 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Miller Foster Dam.
Boat launches
- Berry Shoals Road 370, Spartanburg County
- Sandy Ford Road 1925, Chesnee
- Anchor Park
- J. Verne Smith Park (Lake Robinson)
- Garlington Drive Laurens County
Campgrounds
- Croft State Natural Area
- Sedalia Campground
- Sedalia
- Paris Mountain State Park
- Poulous Loop Group Camp
- Woods Ferry
Paddle runs
- South Fork From Confluence With Pigeon Br To Nf Boundary
- 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
Track Miller Foster 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 Miller Foster Dam
Where does the data for Miller Foster 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 Low 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 Miller Foster Dam.