Mount Lake Dam dam
Mount Lake Dam
Mount Lake Dam, located in Chesterfield, South Carolina, is a state-owned structure on Mount Prong Creek that serves primarily for recreational purposes. Built in 1938, this earthen dam stands at a height of 12 feet and spans 300 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 71 acre-feet. Despite its age, the dam is considered to have a low hazard potential and is in fair condition as of the last inspection in October 2017.
Managed by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Mount Lake Dam undergoes regular state inspection, permitting, and enforcement to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. Its proximity to the Wilmington District of the US Army Corps of Engineers adds another layer of oversight and monitoring. The dam's emergency action plan status and risk management measures are currently unlisted, emphasizing the importance of ongoing assessment and preparedness in the face of changing climate conditions.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Mount Lake Dam presents a fascinating case study in the intersection of infrastructure, environmental regulations, and recreational land use. Its historical significance, design features, and maintenance practices offer valuable insights into the resilience of dams in the face of evolving challenges such as extreme weather events and aging infrastructure. As discussions around water management and climate adaptation continue to evolve, Mount Lake Dam stands as a symbol of the ongoing efforts to balance human needs with environmental stewardship in a changing world.
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 Mount Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black Creek Near Mcbee | 23 cfs | → |
| Black Creek Near Hartsville | 39 cfs | → |
| Pee Dee River Nr Bennettsville | 2,310 cfs | → |
| Lynches River Near Bishopville | 109 cfs | → |
| Pee Dee R Nr Rockingham | 1,780 cfs | → |
| Black Creek Near Quinby | 119 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mount Lake Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Sugarloaf Mountain Rec Area - Sand Hills State Forest
- H. Cooper Black
- Cheraw State Park
- Lee State Natural Area
- Williams Farm
Fishing spots
- Baldwins Pond
- Buck Branch
- Arrowhead Lake
- Blewett Falls Lake Grassy Island
- Broadacres Lake
- Broadacres Lakes
Paddle runs
Track Mount 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 Mount Lake Dam
Where does the data for Mount 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 Mount Lake Dam.