North Springs Lake Dam dam
North Springs Lake Dam
North Springs Lake Dam, located in Richland, South Carolina, stands as a vital structure regulating the flow of TR-Crane Creek. Built in 1975, this privately owned earth dam reaches a height of 20 feet and spans 975 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 482 acre-feet. With a primary purpose of recreation, the dam also serves other functions and boasts a surface area of 40 acres.
Despite its fair condition assessment, North Springs Lake Dam poses a high hazard potential, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and maintenance. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control oversees the regulatory aspects of the dam, ensuring compliance with state jurisdiction and permitting requirements. With a moderate risk rating and a designated inspection frequency of 2 times a year, the dam's emergency action plan readiness and risk management measures are critical aspects to consider.
As a crucial component of the local water resource infrastructure, North Springs Lake Dam not only provides recreational opportunities but also plays a significant role in managing water flow and storage in the region. With its strategic location and impact on the surrounding ecosystem, the dam serves as a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in sustainable water management practices and the resilience of infrastructure in the face of changing environmental 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 North Springs Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Gills Creek At Columbia | 18 cfs | → |
| Smith Branch At North Main St At Columbia | 2 cfs | → |
| Congaree River At Columbia | 4,640 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Near Columbia | 1,190 cfs | → |
| Wateree River Nr. Camden | 1,340 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Below Lk Murray Dam Nr Columbia | 764 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near North Springs Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Carolina Drive Richland County
- Morning Sun Court 98, Richland County
- West Dekalb Street Lugoff
- Buck Hill Landing Road Kershaw County
- Highway 6 6, Columbia
- Cove Launch Court Lexington County
Track North Springs 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 North Springs Lake Dam
Where does the data for North Springs 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 North Springs Lake Dam.