Neil Richardson Dam dam
Neil Richardson Dam
Neil Richardson Dam, located in Anderson, South Carolina, is a private-owned structure with a primary purpose of recreation. Completed in 1994, this earth dam stands at 19 feet high and spans 710 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 150 acre-feet. The dam is situated on Reedy Creek and is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), with regular inspections and enforcement measures in place to ensure safety and compliance.
Despite its significant hazard potential, the dam is currently in poor condition, as assessed during the last inspection in June 2017. With an inspection frequency of every three years, the dam's emergency action plan and risk assessment measures are not up to date, posing potential risks to surrounding areas in case of a breach. The dam's condition and safety protocols highlight the importance of ongoing maintenance and monitoring to mitigate any potential threats and ensure the dam's resilience in the face of changing climate patterns and water resource management challenges.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in Neil Richardson Dam can appreciate the recreational opportunities it offers while also recognizing the need for continued vigilance and risk management to safeguard the surrounding community and ecosystem. By staying informed about the dam's condition, regulatory oversight, and emergency preparedness measures, enthusiasts can contribute to the preservation of this vital water resource infrastructure in 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 Neil Richardson Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky River Nr Starr | 32 cfs | → |
| Beaverdam Creek Ab Elberton Ga | 25 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Near Williamston | 180 cfs | → |
| Twelvemile Creek Near Liberty | 42 cfs | → |
| Broad River Above Carlton | 338 cfs | → |
| Reedy River Above Fork Shoals | 80 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Neil Richardson Dam.
Boat launches
- Sunset Lane Anderson County
- Green Pond Road Anderson County
- Hickory Ridge Road Anderson County
- Smyzer Road Anderson County
- Double Springs Road Anderson County
- Old Us Hwy 29 Anderson County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Lightwood Log Creek
- Lake Hartwell
- Richard B Russell Lake
- Reservoir Number One
- Presbyterian Lake
- Parsons Mountain Lake
Paddle runs
- Confluence Of Cedar Creek To 1/4 Mile Below The Nf Boundary And Fh 110, Cobbs Bridge Road
- South Of Cedar Creek Rifle Range To Confluence With Chauga River
- 1/4 Mile Below Fs 745 And Cassidy Bridge Hunt Camp To Confluence Of Cedar Creek
- Crpssing Of Land Bridge Road, Sc 196 To 1/4 Mile Below Fs 745 And Cassidy Bridge Hunt Camp
- Headwaters Just East Of Hwy 107 To Crossing Of Norton Field Road (Fs 715a)
- Confluence Of Brasstown Creek And Little Brasstown Creek Just South Of Brasstown Falls Road (Fs 751) To Confluence Of Mill Branch, Brasstown Creek And Boatwright Creek Near Boatwright Road (Fs 753)
Track Neil Richardson 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 Neil Richardson Dam
Where does the data for Neil Richardson 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 Neil Richardson Dam.