Lake Chinquapin Dam dam
Lake Chinquapin Dam
Lake Chinquapin Dam, located in Greenwood, South Carolina, was completed in 1960 for the primary purpose of recreation. This private dam stands at a height of 27 feet and stretches 310 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 334 acre-feet. With a surface area of 12 acres, the dam regulates water flow from the TR-Big Curltail Creek, contributing to the local ecosystem and providing essential recreational opportunities for the community.
Managed by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Lake Chinquapin Dam is regularly inspected and maintained to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam has a high hazard potential but is currently assessed to be in fair condition as of December 2020. Despite its age, the dam continues to serve as a vital resource for water management and outdoor activities in the region, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts alike to its picturesque surroundings.
With its earth core and stone foundation, Lake Chinquapin Dam remains a key landmark in the Savannah District, offering a glimpse into the engineering feats of the past. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the dam plays a crucial role in water regulation and conservation efforts in the area. Whether enjoying a day of fishing or simply appreciating the beauty of the lake, visitors to Lake Chinquapin Dam can witness the intersection of human ingenuity and natural landscapes, making it a destination of interest for those passionate about water resource management and climate resilience.
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 Chinquapin Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Saluda River Near Ware Shoals | 1,590 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Mt. Carmel | 1,120 cfs | → |
| Lake Greenwood Tailrace Nr Chappells | 4,240 cfs | → |
| Saluda River At Chappells | 4,110 cfs | → |
| South Rabon Creek Near Gray Court | 100 cfs | → |
| Rocky River Nr Starr | 85 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Chinquapin Dam.
Boat launches
- Arrowhead Drive Greenwood County
- Highway 28, Mccormick
- State Road S-33-277, Mccormick
- Long Cane Creek Boat Ramps
- Little River Boat Ramp
- Garlington Drive Laurens County
Campgrounds
- Parsons Mountain Lake
- Lake Greenwood State Park
- Morrow Bridge And Midway Seasonal Camps
- Faulkner Mountain Campground
- Boggy Campground
- Baker Creek State Park
Fishing spots
- Parsons Mountain Lake
- Richard B Russell Lake
- Cherokee Creek
- Lick Fork Lake
- J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir
- Cliatt Creek
Track Lake Chinquapin 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 Chinquapin Dam
Where does the data for Lake Chinquapin 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 Chinquapin Dam.