Upper Northlake Dam dam
Upper Northlake Dam
Upper Northlake Dam, located in Greenwood, South Carolina, stands as a significant structure along the TR-ROCKY CREEK river. Completed in 1989, this earth dam serves a primary purpose of recreation, offering a serene environment for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy. With a height of 28 feet and a length of 250 feet, the dam boasts a storage capacity of 41 acre-feet, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities.
Despite its recreational appeal, Upper Northlake Dam poses a significant hazard potential due to its poor condition assessment. The dam's risk assessment is classified as very high, emphasizing the need for proper maintenance and risk management measures to ensure public safety. The structure is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to monitor its integrity and safety.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts visit Upper Northlake Dam for recreational purposes, it is crucial to recognize the potential risks associated with this structure. With its controlled spillway and stone core construction, the dam requires regular inspection and maintenance to mitigate hazards and safeguard the surrounding community. As stakeholders work towards ensuring the dam's safety and functionality, it remains a focal point for outdoor enjoyment and appreciation of the natural environment in Greenwood, South Carolina.
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 Upper Northlake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Saluda River Near Ware Shoals | 1,590 cfs | → |
| Lake Greenwood Tailrace Nr Chappells | 4,240 cfs | → |
| Saluda River At Chappells | 4,110 cfs | → |
| South Rabon Creek Near Gray Court | 100 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Mt. Carmel | 1,120 cfs | → |
| Little River Nr Silverstreet | 231 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Northlake Dam.
Boat launches
- Arrowhead Drive Greenwood County
- Garlington Drive Laurens County
- Highway 28, Mccormick
- State Road S-33-277, Mccormick
- Long Cane Creek Boat Ramps
- Little River Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Lake Greenwood State Park
- Parsons Mountain Lake
- Faulkner Mountain Campground
- Boggy Campground
- Morrow Bridge And Midway Seasonal Camps
- Baker Creek State Park
Fishing spots
Track Upper Northlake 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 Upper Northlake Dam
Where does the data for Upper Northlake 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 Significant 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 Upper Northlake Dam.