Lake Quail Valley Dam dam
Lake Quail Valley Dam
Lake Quail Valley Dam, located in Lexington, South Carolina, is a private-owned earth dam built in 1972 primarily for recreation purposes. Standing at a height of 25 feet and stretching 250 feet in length, the dam holds a maximum storage capacity of 400 acre-feet of water, with a normal storage level of 190 acre-feet. The dam overlooks Kinley Creek and is situated within the Savannah District of the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Despite its fair condition assessment, Lake Quail Valley Dam poses a high hazard potential, prompting biennial inspections to ensure its structural integrity. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) oversees the dam's state permitting, inspection, and enforcement processes. The dam has not undergone any modifications in recent years, and no emergency action plan (EAP) has been prepared to date.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate may find Lake Quail Valley Dam an intriguing site for its recreational offerings and environmental significance. With its serene surroundings and storied history, the dam serves as a valuable asset for both local residents and visitors seeking to enjoy the beauty of South Carolina's natural landscapes.
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 Quail Valley Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Saluda River Below Lk Murray Dam Nr Columbia | 2,400 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Near Columbia | 2,620 cfs | → |
| Smith Branch At North Main St At Columbia | 2 cfs | → |
| Congaree River At Columbia | 9,260 cfs | → |
| Gills Creek At Columbia | 44 cfs | → |
| Broad River At Alston | 4,010 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Quail Valley Dam.
Boat launches
- Highway 6 6, Columbia
- Cove Launch Court Lexington County
- Shull Island Boat Ramp
- Eastshore Drive 143, Lexington County
- Cabana Way Lexington County
- Sandlapper Way 159, Lexington County
Campgrounds
- Woodmen Of The World Park
- Dreher Island State Rec Area
- Sesquicentennial State Park
- Weston Lake Military - Fort Jackson
- Longleaf Campground
- Bluff Campground
Fishing spots
Track Lake Quail Valley 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 Quail Valley Dam
Where does the data for Lake Quail Valley 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 Quail Valley Dam.