Riddle Lake Dam dam
Riddle Lake Dam
Riddle Lake Dam, located in Greenville, South Carolina, serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, and as a small fish pond. Built in 1964 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 27 feet and spans 300 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 67 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area.
The dam is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations. While classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam is considered to have a moderate risk level according to a risk assessment conducted in the past. Despite its uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, the dam has not been rated for its condition assessment as of the last inspection in 2017.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Riddle Lake Dam presents an interesting case study in dam management and maintenance. Its location in the Charleston District and its association with the Natural Resources Conservation Service highlight the importance of collaboration between federal and state agencies in overseeing critical infrastructure. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the role of dams like Riddle Lake Dam in providing essential services and protecting communities becomes increasingly vital.
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 Riddle Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Reedy River Near Greenville | 72 cfs | → |
| Reedy River Above Fork Shoals | 233 cfs | → |
| Durbin Creek Above Fountain Inn | 22 cfs | → |
| Enoree River At Pelham | 135 cfs | → |
| Brushy Creek Near Greenville | 8 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Near Williamston | 665 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Riddle Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Arden Road Greenville County
- Buckskin Road Pickens County
- Berry Shoals Road 370, Spartanburg County
- J. Verne Smith Park (Lake Robinson)
- Garlington Drive Laurens County
- Denver Road Anderson County
Campgrounds
- Paris Mountain State Park
- Pleasant Ridge County Park
- Croft State Natural Area
- Table Rock State Park
- Twin Lakes - Hartwell Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters Just East Of Hwy 107 To Crossing Of Norton Field Road (Fs 715a)
- Beginning Just Upstream Of Townes Creek,Wash Branch And Crane Creek To Confluence With Kings Creek
- Headwaters To Sloan's Bridge Crossing, Crossing Of Sc 107
- Sloan's Bridge Crossing To 1/4 Mile Above The Walhalla Fish Hatchery
- 1/4 Mile Above The Walhalla Fish Hatchery To 1/4 Mile Below The Walhalla Fish Hatchery
- South Fork From Confluence With Pigeon Br To Nf Boundary
Track Riddle 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 Riddle Lake Dam
Where does the data for Riddle 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 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 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 Riddle Lake Dam.