Calhoun Lakes Dam 1 dam
Calhoun Lakes Dam 1
Calhoun Lakes Dam 1, located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, is a privately-owned earth dam that was completed in 1968 for the primary purpose of recreation. Standing at a height of 15 feet and a length of 301 feet, this dam creates a reservoir with a storage capacity of 59 acre-feet and a surface area of 6 acres. The dam is situated on TR-Lawsons Fork Creek and is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).
Despite being classified as a low hazard potential structure, Calhoun Lakes Dam 1 has a poor condition assessment as of its last inspection in June 2017. The dam is in need of maintenance and repairs to ensure its safety and functionality. The risk assessment for this dam is moderate, indicating that there are potential risks that need to be addressed. While the dam has not been modified in recent years, it is crucial for the owners to implement proper risk management measures and regularly inspect and maintain the structure to prevent any potential failures or hazards.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Calhoun Lakes Dam 1 presents an opportunity to explore the intersection of human-made structures and natural ecosystems. Understanding the importance of proper dam maintenance and risk management is essential in ensuring the safety of surrounding communities and wildlife. With its location on TR-Lawsons Fork Creek, this dam serves as a recreational resource while also highlighting the need for responsible stewardship of water resources in South Carolina.
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 Calhoun Lakes Dam 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lawsons Fork Creek At Spartanburg Sc | 28 cfs | → |
| Pacolet River Below Lake Blalock Near Cowpens | 88 cfs | → |
| Pacolet River Near Fingerville | 75 cfs | → |
| North Pacolet River At Fingerville | 50 cfs | → |
| Middle Tyger River Near Lyman | 7 cfs | → |
| South Tyger River Below Duncan | 22 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Calhoun Lakes Dam 1.
Boat launches
- Sandy Ford Road 1925, Chesnee
- Berry Shoals Road 370, Spartanburg County
- Anchor Park
- J. Verne Smith Park (Lake Robinson)
- First Broad River Trail Shelby
Campgrounds
- Croft State Natural Area
- Sedalia Campground
- Sedalia
- Poulous Loop Group Camp
- Garner Creek Backcountry Campsite
- Shelby Mission Camp
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Mills River From Confluence Of North/South Forks To Confluence With Foster Creek
- Nf Boundary To Confluence With North Fork
- North Fork From Bottom Of Spillway Of Hendersonville Reservoir To Confluence With South Fork
- South Fork From Confluence With Pigeon Br To Nf Boundary
Track Calhoun Lakes Dam 1 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 Calhoun Lakes Dam 1
Where does the data for Calhoun Lakes Dam 1 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 Calhoun Lakes Dam 1.