Harry Griffith Dam dam
Harry Griffith Dam
Harry Griffith Dam, located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, is a private-owned structure designed for recreational purposes. The dam, standing at 19 feet tall and spanning 285 feet in length, holds a storage capacity of 72 acre-feet of water. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment is rated as poor, with the last inspection completed in July 2017. The dam is regulated and permitted by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), ensuring its safety and compliance with state regulations.
Situated on the TR-WILOW SWAMP river or stream, Harry Griffith Dam is a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts seeking recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. While the dam lacks certain features such as spillways and outlet gates, its primary purpose remains focused on providing a serene environment for visitors to enjoy. The dam's location within the Savannah District and its proximity to Congressman Joe Wilson's district further highlight its significance within the local community.
Despite its poor condition assessment, Harry Griffith Dam continues to serve as a vital recreational asset in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Its role in providing a natural retreat for visitors to connect with water resources underscores the importance of maintaining and monitoring its structural integrity. As climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates, understanding and supporting the ongoing efforts to ensure the dam's safety and regulatory compliance is key to preserving this valuable recreational resource 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 Harry Griffith Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Edisto River Near Denmark | 222 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Cope | 225 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Bamberg | 225 cfs | → |
| North Fork Edisto River At Orangeburg | 226 cfs | → |
| Mctier Creek (Rd 209) Near Monetta | 1 cfs | → |
| Congaree River At Columbia | 2,320 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Harry Griffith Dam.
Track Harry Griffith 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 Harry Griffith Dam
Where does the data for Harry Griffith 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 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 Harry Griffith Dam.