Columbia Embankment And Canal Spillway dam
Columbia Embankment And Canal Spillway
The Columbia Embankment and Canal Spillway, located in Columbia, South Carolina, is a significant public utility structure with a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation and water supply. Completed in 1882, this earth type dam stands at a height of 8 feet and stretches over a length of 18,480 feet, providing a storage capacity of 800 acre-feet. With a controlled spillway width of 30 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 840 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
Owned by a public utility entity and regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Columbia Embankment and Canal Spillway has a significant hazard potential and is classified as a very high-risk structure. While the condition assessment is currently not available, regular inspections are conducted, with the last inspection taking place in February 2020. With its location on the Broad River and its contribution to the local water supply and hydroelectric power generation, this dam serves as a vital component of the region's infrastructure.
Despite its age, the Columbia Embankment and Canal Spillway continues to play a crucial role in water resource management in Richland County, South Carolina. With its storied history, impressive engineering design, and ongoing regulatory oversight, this structure stands as a testament to the importance of maintaining and ensuring the safety of water infrastructure for both present and future generations of residents and climate enthusiasts 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 Columbia Embankment And Canal Spillway -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Smith Branch At North Main St At Columbia | 2 cfs | → |
| Congaree River At Columbia | 9,260 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Near Columbia | 2,620 cfs | → |
| Gills Creek At Columbia | 44 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Below Lk Murray Dam Nr Columbia | 2,400 cfs | → |
| Broad River At Alston | 4,010 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Columbia Embankment And Canal Spillway .
Boat launches
- Highway 6 6, Columbia
- Lake Carolina Drive Richland County
- Morning Sun Court 98, Richland County
- Cove Launch Court Lexington County
- Cabana Way Lexington County
- Eastshore Drive 143, Lexington County
Track Columbia Embankment And Canal Spillway 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 Columbia Embankment And Canal Spillway
Where does the data for Columbia Embankment And Canal Spillway 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 Columbia Embankment And Canal Spillway .