Woodward Mill Pond Dam dam
Woodward Mill Pond Dam
Woodward Mill Pond Dam, located in Chesterfield, South Carolina, was completed in 1890 and serves as a vital recreational resource in the area. Standing at a height of 14 feet and stretching 600 feet in length, this earth dam creates a reservoir with a storage capacity of 252 acre-feet. The dam is primarily used for recreation, providing visitors with opportunities for boating, fishing, and other water-based activities on the picturesque Little Black Creek.
Despite its age, Woodward Mill Pond Dam has been well-maintained, with a fair condition assessment as of November 2017 and a low hazard potential. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) oversees the regulation, inspection, and enforcement of this privately owned structure. The dam's emergency action plan (EAP) was last revised in 1982, and while the risk assessment and management measures are not specified, the dam continues to meet safety guidelines and standards to ensure the protection of surrounding communities and the environment.
With its historical significance and recreational importance, Woodward Mill Pond Dam stands as a testament to sustainable water resource management in South Carolina. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, this dam serves as a vital asset in providing both recreational opportunities and flood control measures for the region. As enthusiasts of water resources and climate stewardship, it is important to recognize and appreciate the value of structures like Woodward Mill Pond Dam in preserving and enhancing our natural environment for future generations.
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 Woodward Mill Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black Creek Near Mcbee | 23 cfs | → |
| Black Creek Near Hartsville | 39 cfs | → |
| Pee Dee River Nr Bennettsville | 2,310 cfs | → |
| Pee Dee R Nr Rockingham | 1,780 cfs | → |
| Lynches River Near Bishopville | 109 cfs | → |
| Rocky River Near Norwood | 139 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Woodward Mill Pond Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Sugarloaf Mountain Rec Area - Sand Hills State Forest
- Cheraw State Park
- H. Cooper Black
- Williams Farm
- Cane Creek Park
Fishing spots
- Buck Branch
- Arrowhead Lake
- Blewett Falls Lake Grassy Island
- Baldwins Pond
- Broadacres Lake
- Broadacres Lakes
Track Woodward Mill 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 Woodward Mill Pond Dam
Where does the data for Woodward Mill 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 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 Woodward Mill Pond Dam.