Robert Small Dam dam
Robert Small Dam
Robert Small Dam, located in Laurens, South Carolina, stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts between private owners and the USDA NRCS in the management of water resources. Completed in 1989, this earth dam on Warrior Creek serves multiple purposes, including recreation, with a primary height of 21 feet and a length of 710 feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment is currently marked as poor, highlighting the need for ongoing maintenance and inspection.
Managed by the SC DHEC, Robert Small Dam is regulated and permitted by the state, ensuring its compliance with safety standards. The dam's storage capacity of 140 acre-feet provides vital water resources for the surrounding area, with a normal storage level of 93 acre-feet. Although the dam's spillway and outlet gates are uncontrolled, the risk assessment categorizes it as moderate, necessitating continued monitoring and risk management measures to prevent potential hazards.
As climate change impacts water resources, the importance of maintaining and upgrading dams like Robert Small Dam becomes increasingly crucial. With its historical significance and role in water management, the dam serves as a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts to advocate for sustainable practices and resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Robert Small Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Enoree River Near Woodruff | 427 cfs | → |
| South Rabon Creek Near Gray Court | 89 cfs | → |
| Durbin Creek Above Fountain Inn | 22 cfs | → |
| Reedy River Above Fork Shoals | 233 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Near Ware Shoals | 1,780 cfs | → |
| Enoree River At Pelham | 135 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Robert Small Dam.
Boat launches
- Garlington Drive Laurens County
- Berry Shoals Road 370, Spartanburg County
- Arden Road Greenville County
- Arrowhead Drive Greenwood County
- Buckskin Road Pickens County
- J. Verne Smith Park (Lake Robinson)
Campgrounds
- Sedalia Campground
- Sedalia
- Croft State Natural Area
- Brick House
- Brick House Campground
- Paris Mountain State Park
Fishing spots
Track Robert Small 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 Robert Small Dam
Where does the data for Robert Small 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 Robert Small Dam.