Johnsons Lake Dam dam
Johnsons Lake Dam
Located in Aiken, South Carolina, Johnsons Lake Dam is a privately-owned structure that serves as a recreational spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Standing at a height of 18 feet and stretching 670 feet in length, this earth dam holds a storage capacity of 218.4 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 175 acre-feet. The dam overlooks Town Creek and boasts a surface area of 39 acres, making it a popular destination for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and picnicking.
While the dam is regulated and inspected by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, it has been deemed to have a high hazard potential due to its fair condition assessment. The most recent inspection, conducted in March 2020, revealed that the dam meets safety guidelines but requires ongoing maintenance to ensure its stability and integrity. Despite its risk level, Johnsons Lake Dam continues to attract visitors seeking a serene environment to enjoy the beauty of nature and water-based recreational activities.
With its picturesque location and recreational offerings, Johnsons Lake Dam is a hidden gem in the heart of Aiken, South Carolina. As enthusiasts of water resources and climate, visitors can appreciate the importance of maintaining this structure to ensure the safety of both the dam and the surrounding environment. Whether exploring the waters of Town Creek or simply taking in the scenic views, Johnsons Lake Dam provides a unique opportunity to connect with nature and appreciate the role of dams in supporting recreational activities while safeguarding water resources for future generations.
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 Johnsons Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Savannah River At Augusta | 3,780 cfs | → |
| Augusta Canal Nr Augusta (Upper) | 2,240 cfs | → |
| Butler Creek Below 7th Avenue | 8 cfs | → |
| Spirit Creek At Us 1 | 9 cfs | → |
| Brier Creek Near Waynesboro | 92 cfs | → |
| Mctier Creek (Rd 209) Near Monetta | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Johnsons Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Burnettown
- Mccormick County
- Columbia County
- Saint John's Road, Clarks Hill
- Lake Springs Road Columbia County
Campgrounds
- Aiken State Park
- Lick Fork Lake Recreation Area
- Lick Fork Lake
- Lake Leitner Military
- Barnwell State Park
- Petersburg - Strom Thurmond Lake
Fishing spots
Track Johnsons 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 Johnsons Lake Dam
Where does the data for Johnsons 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 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 Johnsons Lake Dam.