Upper Quail Hollow Dam dam
Upper Quail Hollow Dam
Upper Quail Hollow Dam, located in Lexington, South Carolina, is a privately owned structure primarily used for recreation purposes. Completed in 1971, this earth dam stands at a height of 37 feet and spans 480 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 67 acre-feet. The dam overlooks TR-SENN BRANCH and is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC), ensuring that it meets state inspection and enforcement standards.
Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, Upper Quail Hollow Dam is currently in fair condition based on the last assessment conducted in April 2017. The dam has a spillway width of 0 feet and a surface area of 5 acres, making it a notable feature within the region. In the event of an emergency, the dam's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) status and compliance with guidelines are currently unspecified, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and risk management measures.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Upper Quail Hollow Dam presents an intriguing case study of a privately owned recreational structure with important implications for public safety and environmental stewardship. As the dam continues to be regulated by state authorities and undergo regular inspections, its role in water management and flood control within the Savannah District remains a key aspect of its operation. With its historical significance dating back to the early 1970s, Upper Quail Hollow Dam serves as a vital component of the local landscape, showcasing the intersection of human engineering and natural 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 Upper Quail Hollow Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Saluda River Near Columbia | 2,620 cfs | → |
| Congaree River At Columbia | 9,260 cfs | → |
| Smith Branch At North Main St At Columbia | 2 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Below Lk Murray Dam Nr Columbia | 2,400 cfs | → |
| Gills Creek At Columbia | 44 cfs | → |
| Broad River At Alston | 4,010 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Quail Hollow Dam.
Boat launches
- Highway 6 6, Columbia
- Cove Launch Court Lexington County
- Cabana Way Lexington County
- Eastshore Drive 143, Lexington County
- Sandlapper Way 159, Lexington County
- Shull Island Boat Ramp
Track Upper Quail Hollow 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 Upper Quail Hollow Dam
Where does the data for Upper Quail Hollow 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 Upper Quail Hollow Dam.