Duncan Park Lake Dam dam
Duncan Park Lake Dam
Duncan Park Lake Dam, located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, is a significant earth dam constructed in 1935 primarily for recreational purposes. With a height of 42 feet and a length of 445 feet, the dam holds a maximum storage capacity of 213 acre-feet of water. The dam is situated on TR-FAIRFOREST CREEK and is owned and regulated by the local government, with oversight from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).
Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential, Duncan Park Lake Dam is currently in fair condition, as assessed during its last inspection in December 2019. The dam has a history of modification and maintenance, with regular inspections conducted every three years to ensure its safety and structural integrity. The dam's emergency action plan was last revised in 1995, and further updates may be needed to align with current guidelines and risk management measures.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Duncan Park Lake Dam to be a fascinating example of early 20th-century dam construction for recreational purposes. Its picturesque location and historical significance make it an important landmark in Spartanburg, South Carolina, while also serving as a vital structure for water storage and management in the region. With proper maintenance and oversight, Duncan Park Lake Dam continues to play a crucial role in supporting the community's recreational activities and water resource needs.
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 Duncan Park Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lawsons Fork Creek At Spartanburg Sc | 28 cfs | → |
| Pacolet River Below Lake Blalock Near Cowpens | 88 cfs | → |
| Middle Tyger River Near Lyman | 7 cfs | → |
| South Tyger River Below Duncan | 22 cfs | → |
| Pacolet River Near Fingerville | 75 cfs | → |
| North Pacolet River At Fingerville | 50 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Duncan Park Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Sandy Ford Road 1925, Chesnee
- Berry Shoals Road 370, Spartanburg County
- Anchor Park
- J. Verne Smith Park (Lake Robinson)
Campgrounds
- Croft State Natural Area
- Sedalia Campground
- Sedalia
- Paris Mountain State Park
- Poulous Loop Group Camp
- Woods Ferry
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Mills River From Confluence Of North/South Forks To Confluence With Foster Creek
- South Fork From Confluence With Pigeon Br To Nf Boundary
- North Fork From Bottom Of Spillway Of Hendersonville Reservoir To Confluence With South Fork
- Nf Boundary To Confluence With North Fork
Track Duncan Park 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 Duncan Park Lake Dam
Where does the data for Duncan Park 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 Significant 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 Duncan Park Lake Dam.