Upper Windsor Lake Dam dam
Upper Windsor Lake Dam
Upper Windsor Lake Dam, located in Richland, South Carolina, was completed in 1965 and stands at a height of 14 feet with a length of 500 feet. This private dam primarily serves as a recreational spot, offering serene waters for activities such as fishing and boating. With a storage capacity of 700 acre-feet and a surface area of 31 acres, Upper Windsor Lake Dam is a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts looking to connect with nature.
Despite its scenic beauty, Upper Windsor Lake Dam poses a high hazard potential due to its poor condition assessment. The last inspection in January 2019 revealed concerns about its structural integrity, prompting the need for frequent monitoring and maintenance. The dam is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement protocols in place to ensure public safety and environmental protection.
Water enthusiasts visiting Upper Windsor Lake Dam should be aware of its condition and adhere to safety guidelines. With its picturesque setting along Jackson Creek, this earth dam offers a tranquil retreat for outdoor activities. However, visitors should exercise caution and stay informed about any updates regarding its maintenance and risk management measures to fully enjoy this recreational gem in South Carolina.
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 Upper Windsor 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 | → |
| Saluda River Below Lk Murray Dam Nr Columbia | 764 cfs | → |
| Wateree River Nr. Camden | 1,340 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Windsor Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Carolina Drive Richland County
- Morning Sun Court 98, Richland County
- Highway 6 6, Columbia
- West Dekalb Street Lugoff
- Buck Hill Landing Road Kershaw County
- Cove Launch Court Lexington County
Track Upper Windsor 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 Upper Windsor Lake Dam
Where does the data for Upper Windsor 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 Upper Windsor Lake Dam.