Chester Res Dam dam
Chester Res Dam
Chester Res Dam, also known as Lake McGregor Dam, is a private-owned structure located in Chester, South Carolina. Completed in 1928, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 40 feet and stretches 600 feet in length, creating a reservoir with a maximum storage capacity of 4,130 acre-feet. The primary purpose of the dam is for recreation, offering visitors a serene environment for activities such as fishing, boating, and picnicking.
Managed by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Chester Res Dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by the state to ensure its safety and compliance with standards. Despite its fair condition assessment and high hazard potential, the dam has a history of providing a valuable water resource for the community, with a normal storage capacity of 2,130 acre-feet and a surface area of 111 acres. The dam sits on the Sandy River and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers in the region.
With its rich history, scenic surroundings, and recreational offerings, Chester Res Dam serves as a vital water resource and a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike. The dam's role in providing a picturesque backdrop for outdoor activities, as well as its adherence to state regulations and inspections, highlight its importance in both water management and community engagement. As a private-owned structure, Chester Res Dam stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of human intervention and natural landscapes in the realm of water resource management and climate conservation.
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 Chester Res Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Broad River Near Carlisle | 3,740 cfs | → |
| Wildcat Creek Below Rock Hill | 51 cfs | → |
| Fishing Creek Below Fort Lawn | 193 cfs | → |
| Tyger River Near Delta | 333 cfs | → |
| Rocky Creek At Great Falls | 126 cfs | → |
| Catawba River Below Catawba | 2,270 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Chester Res Dam.
Boat launches
- Lancaster County
- Waterford Trail Rock Hill
- Green Road Lancaster County
- Piedmont Medical Center Trail York County
- Boatshore Road York County
- Windward Drive Tega Cay
Campgrounds
- Chester State Park
- Woods Ferry Recreation Area
- Woods Ferry
- Poulous Loop Group Camp
- Rocky Branch Seasonal Camp
- Collins Creek Seasonal Camp
Track Chester Res 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 Chester Res Dam
Where does the data for Chester Res 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 Chester Res Dam.