Clarks Millpond Dam dam
Clarks Millpond Dam
Located in Lexington, South Carolina, the Clarks Millpond Dam is a privately owned earth dam that was completed in 1920 for recreational purposes on the Black Creek river. With a height of 14 feet and a length of 1112 feet, this dam has a storage capacity of 132 acre-feet and a surface area of 26 acres. The dam is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity.
Despite being classified as low hazard potential and in fair condition as of the last assessment in 2017, the Clarks Millpond Dam poses a very high risk due to its proximity to populated areas. The dam has a controlled spillway type and is equipped with emergency action plans, although further updates and risk management measures may be needed to mitigate potential risks. The dam is situated in the Savannah District and falls under the jurisdiction of Joe Wilson, the Representative for South Carolina's Congressional district.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Clarks Millpond Dam offers a fascinating case study in dam management and the intersection of recreation and public safety. As efforts continue to ensure the dam's safety and resilience, its historical significance and ecological impact on the Black Creek river make it a valuable asset to the local community and a subject of ongoing monitoring and maintenance.
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 Clarks Millpond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mctier Creek (Rd 209) Near Monetta | 1 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Below Lk Murray Dam Nr Columbia | 759 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Near Columbia | 840 cfs | → |
| Congaree River At Columbia | 2,320 cfs | → |
| Smith Branch At North Main St At Columbia | 2 cfs | → |
| Gills Creek At Columbia | 15 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Clarks Millpond Dam.
Boat launches
- Cabana Way Lexington County
- Sandlapper Way 159, Lexington County
- Eastshore Drive 143, Lexington County
- Shull Island Boat Ramp
- Highway 6 6, Columbia
- Sassafras Lane Newberry County
Campgrounds
- Dreher Island State Rec Area
- Aiken State Park
- Woodmen Of The World Park
- Longleaf Campground
- Bluff Campground
Fishing spots
Track Clarks Millpond 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 Clarks Millpond Dam
Where does the data for Clarks Millpond 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 Clarks Millpond Dam.