Barnwell St Park Lwr Dam dam
Barnwell St Park Lwr Dam
Barnwell St Park Lwr Dam is a state-owned structure located in Barnwell, South Carolina, along the Toby Creek. Completed in 1950, this earth dam stands at a height of 20 feet and has a length of 440 feet, providing a normal storage capacity of 44 acre-feet. The dam serves multiple purposes, including recreation, and is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).
Despite its significant storage capacity and recreational value, Barnwell St Park Lwr Dam has been assessed as being in poor condition with a high hazard potential. The last inspection in May 2020 revealed the dam's deteriorating state, prompting concerns about its safety and the need for potential risk management measures. The dam's emergency action plan (EAP) status and adherence to guidelines remain unclear, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance efforts.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Barnwell St Park Lwr Dam presents an intriguing case study of a vital infrastructure in need of attention and potential improvements. With its historical significance, diverse purposes, and regulatory oversight, this dam serves as a focal point for discussions on dam safety, risk assessment, and emergency preparedness in the face of changing environmental conditions. As efforts to address its condition and potential risks continue, stakeholders and officials must collaborate to ensure the long-term resilience and sustainability of this essential water resource structure.
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 Barnwell St Park Lwr Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Edisto River Near Denmark | 214 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Cope | 217 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Bamberg | 215 cfs | → |
| North Fork Edisto River At Orangeburg | 222 cfs | → |
| Salkehatchie River Near Miley | 60 cfs | → |
| Savannah R At Burtons Ferry Br Nr Millhaven | 4,880 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Barnwell St Park Lwr Dam.
Boat launches
- Bobcat Landing Road , 29003
- Cannon Bridge Road ,
- Savannah Highway Neeses
- Shillings Bridge Road Orangeburg County
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Barnwell St Park Lwr 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 Barnwell St Park Lwr Dam
Where does the data for Barnwell St Park Lwr 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 Barnwell St Park Lwr Dam.