Lake Bennett Dam dam
Lake Bennett Dam
Lake Bennett Dam, located in Florence, South Carolina, is a privately owned structure built in 1965 for the primary purpose of recreation. The earth dam stands at a height of 16 feet and spans 500 feet in length, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 228 acre-feet. The dam, situated on Polk Swamp Creek, offers a surface area of 20 acres for water enthusiasts to enjoy various recreational activities.
Maintained and regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), Lake Bennett Dam is inspected regularly to ensure its structural integrity and safety. With a fair condition assessment and a significant hazard potential, the dam is equipped to handle emergency situations, although details of emergency action plans and risk management measures are not specified in the available data. Despite its relatively small size compared to other dams, Lake Bennett Dam provides a valuable water resource for the local community and serves as a popular spot for outdoor recreation.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lake Bennett Dam offers a glimpse into the intersection of human infrastructure and natural ecosystems. From its construction in the mid-20th century to its current role in providing recreational opportunities, this dam on Polk Swamp Creek stands as a reminder of the delicate balance between development and environmental stewardship. With its scenic surroundings and potential for outdoor activities, Lake Bennett Dam serves as a testament to the importance of responsible water resource management in the face of climate challenges.
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 Lake Bennett Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black Creek Near Quinby | 154 cfs | → |
| Pee Dee River At Peedee | 2,270 cfs | → |
| Pee Dee River Below Pee Dee | 2,240 cfs | → |
| Lynches River At Effingham | 163 cfs | → |
| Pee Dee River Nr Bennettsville | 2,030 cfs | → |
| Little Pee Dee R. At Galivants Ferry | 317 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Bennett Dam.
Boat launches
- Darlington County
- Lester Road Dillon County
- Huggins Landing Road 501, Horry County
- Ernest L. Anderson Bridge Marion County
Track Lake Bennett 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 Lake Bennett Dam
Where does the data for Lake Bennett 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 Lake Bennett Dam.