Tower Hill Plantation Dam dam
Tower Hill Plantation Dam
Tower Hill Plantation Dam in Berkeley, South Carolina, stands as a testament to engineering prowess, completed in 1994 with a primary purpose of recreation. This private dam, standing at 18 feet tall and stretching 1,190 feet in length, regulates the Maham Swamp's flow with a controlled spillway. With a storage capacity of 100 acre-feet, the dam provides ample opportunities for water-based activities across its 13-acre surface area.
Despite its low hazard potential, Tower Hill Plantation Dam's condition assessment raises concerns with a poor rating as of December 2017. The dam's risk assessment places it in a very high risk category, emphasizing the importance of regular inspections and maintenance. With the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control overseeing regulation, inspection, and enforcement, efforts are in place to mitigate any potential risks associated with this vital water resource infrastructure.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, enthusiasts and stakeholders must remain vigilant in monitoring the condition of dams like Tower Hill Plantation Dam. With the risk management measures yet to be fully detailed, it is crucial for all involved parties to collaborate on maintaining the dam's integrity and ensuring the safety of surrounding communities and natural habitats.
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 Tower Hill Plantation Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Santee River Near Pineville | 680 cfs | → |
| Lake Moultrie Tailrace Canal At Moncks Corner | 270 cfs | → |
| Black River At Kingstree | 338 cfs | → |
| Santee River Nr Jamestown | 6,660 cfs | → |
| Back River At Dupont Intake Nr Kittredge | 671 cfs | → |
| Edisto River Nr Givhans | 2,010 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Tower Hill Plantation Dam.
Boat launches
- Russel Store Road Berkeley County
- Williamsburg County
- Clarendon County
- State Highway 260 Clarendon County
- Hatchery Boat Ramp Lake Moultrie
- Log Jam Road Clarendon County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Tower Hill Plantation 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 Tower Hill Plantation Dam
Where does the data for Tower Hill Plantation 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 Tower Hill Plantation Dam.