Gallagher Pond Dam Dam
Gallagher Pond Dam
Gallagher Pond Dam, located in Pickens, South Carolina, was completed in 1954 and serves as a recreational area for water resource and climate enthusiasts. This earth dam stands at a height of 8 feet and a length of 75 feet, with a storage capacity of 230 acre-feet. The dam's primary purpose is for recreation, offering a surface area of 12 acres for visitors to enjoy.
Despite its low hazard potential, Gallagher Pond Dam has a poor condition assessment as of its last inspection in June 2017. The dam is state-regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), with permitting, inspection, and enforcement processes in place to ensure its safety and compliance. The risk assessment for the dam is classified as moderate, indicating the need for continued monitoring and potential management measures.
For those interested in water resource management and climate resilience, Gallagher Pond Dam presents an intriguing case study of a privately owned structure that provides recreational benefits while also facing maintenance challenges. With its location on Burgess Creek and close proximity to the Charleston District, the dam serves as a reminder of the importance of proper infrastructure management in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Gallagher Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Saluda River Near Cleveland | 5 cfs | → |
| Middle Saluda River Near Cleveland | 20 cfs | → |
| French Broad River At Rosman | 89 cfs | → |
| Davidson River Near Brevard | 49 cfs | → |
| French Broad River At Blantyre | 340 cfs | → |
| Twelvemile Creek Near Liberty | 51 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gallagher Pond Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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More reservoirs
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About Gallagher Pond Dam
Where does the data for Gallagher Pond 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 Low 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 below 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.
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.