Lower Pacolet dam
Lower Pacolet
Lower Pacolet is a privately owned hydroelectric dam located on the Pacolet River in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Built in 1890, this gravity dam stands at a height of 23 feet and has a length of 494 feet, providing a normal storage capacity of 99 acre-feet. With a low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the dam is classified as having a controlled spillway type with a width of 347 feet. Despite being under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the dam is not regulated by the state and does not require regular inspections or permitting.
This historic structure, constructed over a century ago, plays a crucial role in generating hydroelectric power in the region. With a drainage area of 460 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 5400 cubic feet per second, Lower Pacolet contributes to the water resource management and energy production in the area. Although the dam has not been modified in recent years and its condition assessment is not available, emergency action plans have been prepared and updated periodically to ensure public safety in the event of a dam failure.
Lower Pacolet is a significant landmark in the Pacolet River, serving as a testament to the ingenuity of early dam designers. Despite its age, the dam continues to play a vital role in the local ecosystem and economy, providing clean energy and water storage for the surrounding community. With its historical significance and ongoing operational relevance, Lower Pacolet stands as a reminder of the enduring impact of water resource management and climate adaptation efforts in the region.
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 Lower Pacolet -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lawsons Fork Creek At Spartanburg Sc | 29 cfs | → |
| Pacolet River Below Lake Blalock Near Cowpens | 88 cfs | → |
| Broad River Near Gaffney | 1,890 cfs | → |
| Broad River Below Cherokee Falls | 576 cfs | → |
| Broad River Near Blacksburg | 338 cfs | → |
| Pacolet River Near Fingerville | 81 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lower Pacolet .
Boat launches
- Sandy Ford Road 1925, Chesnee
- Berry Shoals Road 370, Spartanburg County
- Anchor Park
- First Broad River Trail Shelby
- John H. Moss Lake Recreation Park
- Lakeshore Drive Cleveland County
Campgrounds
- Croft State Natural Area
- Sedalia Campground
- Sedalia
- Poulous Loop Group Camp
- Woods Ferry
- Woods Ferry Recreation Area
Fishing spots
Track Lower Pacolet 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 Lower Pacolet
Where does the data for Lower Pacolet 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 Lower Pacolet .