Cooper Dev - West Dike dam
Cooper Dev - West Dike
Cooper Dev - West Dike, also known as Pinopolis West Dike, is a state-owned structure in South Carolina that plays a crucial role in flood risk reduction along the Cooper River. Built in 1942 by Harza Engineering Company, this earth dam stands at a height of 25 feet and spans over 51,216 feet in length. With a primary purpose of flood risk reduction, it also serves for hydroelectric power generation, navigation, recreation, and water supply, showcasing its multifaceted importance in water resource management.
Located in Moncks Corner, Berkeley County, this high-hazard potential dam holds a storage capacity of 1.1 million acre-feet, covering a surface area of 60,000 acres. Despite not being regulated by the state, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for inspection and operation. The dam's emergency action plan was last revised in January 2021, indicating a proactive approach to risk management in case of potential inundation events. Overall, Cooper Dev - West Dike stands as a critical infrastructure for water resource and climate enthusiasts to study and appreciate its impact on the surrounding environment.
As a significant landmark in the Charleston District, Cooper Dev - West Dike serves as a testament to the collaborative efforts between state and federal agencies in ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources in the region. With its rich history dating back to the early 20th century, this dam continues to fulfill its role in protecting communities from flooding while providing essential services for various sectors. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, exploring the engineering marvel and ecological impact of Cooper Dev - West Dike offers a fascinating insight into the interconnectedness of water management and environmental stewardship.
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 Cooper Dev - West Dike -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Moultrie Tailrace Canal At Moncks Corner | 645 cfs | → |
| Santee River Near Pineville | 603 cfs | → |
| Back River At Dupont Intake Nr Kittredge | 2,600 cfs | → |
| Edisto River Nr Givhans | 577 cfs | → |
| Santee River Nr Jamestown | 1,820 cfs | → |
| Black River At Kingstree | 51 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cooper Dev - West Dike .
Boat launches
- Hatchery Boat Ramp Lake Moultrie
- Russel Store Road Berkeley County
- Williamsburg County
- Clarendon County
- Red Bank Road 184, Orangeburg County
- State Highway 402 Berkeley County
Campgrounds
- Short Stay Navy Military
- Foster Creek Rv Military
- Givhans Ferry State Park
- Charleston Afb Rv Military
- Polly's Landing Campground
- Halfway Creek Trail Camp
Fishing spots
Track Cooper Dev - West Dike 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 Cooper Dev - West Dike
Where does the data for Cooper Dev - West Dike 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 Cooper Dev - West Dike .