Lake Oliphant Dam dam
Lake Oliphant Dam
Lake Oliphant Dam in Chester, South Carolina, is a state-owned structure that serves as a vital recreational resource for the community. Completed in 1974, this earth dam stands at a height of 29 feet and has a storage capacity of 345 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 225 acre-feet. The dam spans 980 feet and covers a surface area of 40 acres, providing a picturesque setting for outdoor activities.
Despite its fair condition assessment and high hazard potential, Lake Oliphant Dam is regularly inspected, with the last assessment conducted in October 2019. The dam is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, ensuring that it meets the necessary safety standards for the surrounding area. With its location on Conrad Creek, the dam not only offers recreational opportunities but also plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
As a focal point for water enthusiasts and climate advocates, Lake Oliphant Dam serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining and monitoring critical infrastructure to ensure public safety and environmental sustainability. With its rich history and ongoing regulatory oversight, this dam continues to be a valuable asset for the community, offering both recreational enjoyment and essential water storage capacity.
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 Lake Oliphant Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wildcat Creek Below Rock Hill | 3 cfs | → |
| Catawba River Below Catawba | 1,290 cfs | → |
| Catawba River Near Rockhill | 853 cfs | → |
| Fishing Creek Below Fort Lawn | 24 cfs | → |
| Broad River Near Carlisle | 916 cfs | → |
| Rocky Creek At Great Falls | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Oliphant Dam.
Boat launches
- Waterford Trail Rock Hill
- Piedmont Medical Center Trail York County
- Boatshore Road York County
- Windward Drive Tega Cay
- New Gray Rock Road Tega Cay
- Lancaster County
Campgrounds
- Chester State Park
- Poulous Loop Group Camp
- Woods Ferry Recreation Area
- Woods Ferry
- Ebenezer County Park
- Sign Language
Track Lake Oliphant 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 Lake Oliphant Dam
Where does the data for Lake Oliphant 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 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 Lake Oliphant Dam.