Squires Lake Dam dam
Squires Lake Dam
Squires Lake Dam, also known as Willow Lake Dam, is a privately owned structure located in Dillon, South Carolina. Completed in 1963, this earth dam stands at a height of 9 feet and has a length of 384 feet. Its primary purpose is for recreation, with a storage capacity of 65 acre-feet and a surface area of 12 acres. Situated on the TR-Little Pee Dee River, this dam serves as a popular spot for outdoor activities and water-related events.
Despite its recreational appeal, Squires Lake Dam poses a significant hazard potential and has been assessed as being in poor condition. The last inspection in 2018 revealed the need for improvements and maintenance to ensure the safety of the structure. The dam is under state regulation and is subject to regular inspections, permitting, and enforcement by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). With its close proximity to the community, efforts to address the dam's condition and emergency preparedness are crucial to mitigate risks and protect downstream areas.
In the event of an emergency, the dam's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) was last revised in 1995, raising concerns about its alignment with current guidelines and the adequacy of emergency response measures. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, staying informed about the condition and management of dams like Squires Lake Dam is essential for promoting safety and sustainability in our water infrastructure. Collaboration between dam owners, regulators, and the community is vital to ensure the proper maintenance and operation of these structures for the well-being of all involved.
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 Squires Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pee Dee River At Peedee | 2,160 cfs | → |
| Pee Dee River Below Pee Dee | 2,200 cfs | → |
| Lumber River At Boardman | 160 cfs | → |
| Big Shoe Heel Creek Nr Laurinburg | 16 cfs | → |
| Lumber River At Lumberton | 130 cfs | → |
| Lumber River Near Maxton | 96 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Squires Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Lester Road Dillon County
- Griffins Landing 10400, Horry County
- Darlington County
- Ernest L. Anderson Bridge Marion County
- Huggins Landing Road 501, Horry County
Campgrounds
- Bass Lake Campground
- Little Pee Dee State Park
- John Culberth Campsite
- Princess Ann - Lumber River State Park
- Pea Ridge Campsite
- Piney Island Campsite
Fishing spots
Track Squires 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 Squires Lake Dam
Where does the data for Squires 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 Significant 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 Squires Lake Dam.