Vernon Pond Dam dam
Vernon Pond Dam
Located in Columbia, Georgia, the Vernon Pond Dam stands as a private-owned structure primarily used for recreation. With a height of 29 feet and a storage capacity of 25 acre-feet, this earth dam plays a crucial role in providing recreational opportunities for water enthusiasts in the area. Despite being uncontrolled, the dam has been assessed as having a high hazard potential but remains in satisfactory condition as of the last inspection in February 2017.
Managed by the Georgia-SAFE DAMS Program, the Vernon Pond Dam is subject to state regulations, inspections, and enforcement to ensure its safety and functionality. Its risk assessment categorizes it as moderate, indicating the need for ongoing monitoring and potential risk management measures. With a designated emergency action plan and contacts in place, the dam is prepared to respond to any unforeseen events that may arise, providing a sense of security for both the surrounding community and water resource enthusiasts who frequent the area.
As a vital component of the local water infrastructure, the Vernon Pond Dam serves as a focal point for recreational activities while also posing challenges in terms of risk management and safety. Its location within the Charleston District and under the oversight of state regulatory agencies underscores the importance of maintaining and monitoring this structure to ensure the continued enjoyment and safety of all who benefit from its presence.
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 Vernon Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta Canal Nr Augusta (Upper) | 2,280 cfs | → |
| Butler Creek Below 7th Avenue | 7 cfs | → |
| Stevens Creek Near Modoc | 38 cfs | → |
| Spirit Creek At Us 1 | 10 cfs | → |
| Savannah River At Augusta | 4,220 cfs | → |
| Brier Creek Near Waynesboro | 311 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Vernon Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Mccormick County
- Columbia County
- Lake Springs Road Columbia County
- Saint John's Road, Clarks Hill
- Ridge Road 5943, Columbia County
- Lakeview Drive Parksville
Campgrounds
- Petersburg - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Wildwood County Park
- Ridge Road - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Modoc - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Bussey Point Wilderness Area
- Lick Fork Lake Recreation Area
Fishing spots
Track Vernon Pond 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 Vernon Pond Dam
Where does the data for Vernon Pond 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 High 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 Vernon Pond Dam.