Gordons Lake Dam dam
Gordons Lake Dam
Gordons Lake Dam, also known as Camp Chatuga Lake Dam, is a private earth dam located in Oconee, South Carolina. Built in 1961 by the USDA NRCS, the dam stands at a height of 32 feet and has a length of 195 feet. Its primary purpose is for recreation, providing a surface area of 8 acres and a maximum storage capacity of 120 acre-feet.
Managed by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), Gordons Lake Dam is state-regulated and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety. With a fair condition assessment and a high hazard potential, the dam poses a moderate risk level. In case of emergencies, the dam has uncontrolled spillways and outlets. It is crucial for water resource and climate enthusiasts to monitor and support the maintenance of Gordons Lake Dam to protect surrounding communities and ecosystems.
Gordons Lake Dam's presence along Orrs Mill Creek in South Carolina adds to the region's recreational opportunities while also highlighting the importance of proper dam management in mitigating risks. As a significant structure in the area, it is essential for stakeholders to stay informed about its condition and any potential updates to its risk management measures. By working together to ensure the safety and sustainability of Gordons Lake Dam, enthusiasts can contribute to the preservation of water resources and the resilience of the local environment in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Gordons Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chattooga River Near Clayton | 203 cfs | → |
| Tallulah River Ab Powerhouse | 39 cfs | → |
| Twelvemile Creek Near Liberty | 40 cfs | → |
| Tallulah River Near Clayton | 62 cfs | → |
| Little Tennessee River Near Prentiss | 138 cfs | → |
| Cartoogechaye Creek Near Franklin | 261 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gordons Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Devils Fork Road Oconee County
- White Oak Hill Road Oconee County
- Fall Creek Landing
- Landing Road Oconee County
- High Falls Road Oconee County
- Cabin Road 398, Pickens County
Campgrounds
- Oconee State Park
- Long Bottom Ford
- Sandy Beach Campsite
- Cherry Hill Recreation Area
- Burrells Ford
- Cassidy Bridge Hunt Camp
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters Just East Of Hwy 107 To Crossing Of Norton Field Road (Fs 715a)
- Highway 28 To Earl's Ford (Section 2)
- Beginning Just Upstream Of Townes Creek,Wash Branch And Crane Creek To Confluence With Kings Creek
- Earl's Ford To Route 76 (Section 3)
- Burrels Ford To Lick Log Branch (Section 1)
- 1/4 Mile Below Walhalla Fish Hatchery To Boundary Of Chattooga Wsr
Track Gordons Lake 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 Gordons Lake Dam
Where does the data for Gordons Lake 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 Gordons Lake Dam.