Carolina Orchard Dam 3 Dam
Carolina Orchard Dam 3
Carolina Orchard Dam 3 is a privately owned earth dam located in Cherokee, South Carolina, with the primary purpose of irrigation. Built in 1986, this dam stands at a height of 29 feet and has a length of 240 feet, providing a storage capacity of 66 acre-feet. The dam is situated on the TR-MACEDONIA CREEK and is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).
Despite its low hazard potential, Carolina Orchard Dam 3 is currently in poor condition, as assessed during the last inspection in September 2017. The dam's risk assessment is moderate, indicating a need for potential risk management measures to ensure its structural integrity and safety. With a history of being inspected every five years, this dam plays a crucial role in supporting local irrigation needs and water resource management in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts monitoring this dam can appreciate its significance in providing irrigation water and its potential risk management challenges. As a privately owned structure regulated by state authorities, Carolina Orchard Dam 3 serves as a critical infrastructure for water storage and distribution in the area, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its continued safety and functionality amidst changing climate conditions.
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 Carolina Orchard Dam 3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pacolet River Below Lake Blalock Near Cowpens | 92 cfs | → |
| Pacolet River Near Fingerville | 72 cfs | → |
| Lawsons Fork Creek At Spartanburg Sc | 29 cfs | → |
| North Pacolet River At Fingerville | 72 cfs | → |
| Broad River Near Boiling Springs | 1,010 cfs | → |
| Broad River Near Blacksburg | 1,240 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Carolina Orchard Dam 3.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Carolina Orchard Dam 3
Where does the data for Carolina Orchard Dam 3 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 below 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.
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.