PROJECT ALERT NOTICE (SC) Potential Spillway Failure at Lake Wallace in Bennettsville, SC

Date: Wed, 31 Jul 2024 08:34:49 EDT

Summary: There is potential for a catastrophic spillway failure at Lake Wallace in Bennettsville, SC, endangering life and property downstream along Crooked Creek.

The SC Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) requested that the USGS deploy a Rapid Deployment Gage (RDG) along Crooked Creek, SC to assist in flood prediction and situational awareness of a potential spillway failure at Lake Wallace. A team of five USGS Technicians will be installing an RDG on Crooked Creek today that will have the ability to get data to WaterWatch. This is being deployed so that the local community and decision makers can be notified of a sudden increase in water levels downstream of the reservoir. The team also plans to install a camera along Crooked Creek tomorrow for additional situational awareness. The USGS is working directly with the SCDES and the Marlboro County Emergency Manager.