Morgan Dam dam
Morgan Dam
Morgan Dam, located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, is a privately owned earth dam that was completed in 1989 for the primary purpose of recreation. The dam stands at a height of 19 feet and has a length of 350 feet, creating a reservoir with a maximum storage capacity of 28 acre-feet. Situated on the Wofford Branch river, this structure is regulated and inspected by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) to ensure its safety and compliance with state standards.
Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, Morgan Dam is currently assessed to be in fair condition as of the last inspection in March 2020. With a hazard potential rating that indicates the risk of significant damage and loss of life in the event of a dam failure, ongoing monitoring and maintenance are critical to mitigate any potential threats. While the dam does not have associated locks or spillways, its recreational value and the need for effective risk management measures highlight the importance of continued oversight and emergency preparedness to safeguard both the dam and the surrounding community.
As a key feature in the local water resource infrastructure, Morgan Dam serves as a reminder of the critical role that dams play in providing recreational opportunities and water management. With its location in a high-risk area, the dam's condition assessment and hazard potential underscore the need for proactive risk management strategies and emergency preparedness to ensure the safety of the community and the longevity of the structure. In the face of changing climate patterns and increasing water resource challenges, the continued monitoring and maintenance of Morgan Dam are essential to safeguarding both the environment and the community's well-being.
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 Morgan Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Enoree River Near Woodruff | 115 cfs | → |
| Lawsons Fork Creek At Spartanburg Sc | 29 cfs | → |
| Durbin Creek Above Fountain Inn | 6 cfs | → |
| South Tyger River Below Duncan | 21 cfs | → |
| Middle Tyger River Near Lyman | 8 cfs | → |
| Enoree River At Pelham | 45 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Morgan Dam.
Boat launches
- Berry Shoals Road 370, Spartanburg County
- Sandy Ford Road 1925, Chesnee
- Anchor Park
- Garlington Drive Laurens County
- J. Verne Smith Park (Lake Robinson)
Campgrounds
- Croft State Natural Area
- Sedalia Campground
- Sedalia
- Brick House
- Brick House Campground
- Poulous Loop Group Camp
Fishing spots
Track Morgan 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 Morgan Dam
Where does the data for Morgan 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 Morgan Dam.