Clarkson Pond Dam dam
Clarkson Pond Dam
Clarkson Pond Dam, located in Richland, South Carolina, is a privately-owned structure constructed in 1965 primarily for recreation purposes. This Earth-type dam stands at a height of 8.1 feet and stretches 1250 feet in length, impounding Cedar Creek to create a surface area of 52.4 acres. With a normal storage capacity of 105 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 321 acre-feet, this low-hazard dam provides valuable water resources for the surrounding area.
Managed by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), Clarkson Pond Dam is subject to state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. Despite being not rated for its condition and lacking an emergency action plan, the dam's hazard potential is considered low. With no associated structures or federal agency involvement, this dam serves as a key component of the local landscape, offering recreational opportunities while also contributing to water resource management and conservation efforts in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Clarkson Pond Dam represents a fascinating case study in private dam ownership and management. As a recreational facility with limited risk factors, this structure highlights the importance of state oversight and regulatory measures in ensuring the safety and sustainability of water infrastructure. With its historical significance and ecological impact on Cedar Creek, Clarkson Pond Dam serves as a valuable asset for both local communities and environmental conservation initiatives in South Carolina.
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 Clarkson Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Gills Creek At Columbia | 27 cfs | → |
| Wateree R. Bl Eastover | 2,400 cfs | → |
| Congaree River At Columbia | 10,200 cfs | → |
| Smith Branch At North Main St At Columbia | 4 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Near Columbia | 2,670 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Below Lk Murray Dam Nr Columbia | 770 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Clarkson Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Us 601 Calhoun County
- Lake Carolina Drive Richland County
- Morning Sun Court 98, Richland County
- Shillings Bridge Road Orangeburg County
- Savannah Highway Neeses
- Landing Lane Calhoun County
Track Clarkson 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 Clarkson Pond Dam
Where does the data for Clarkson 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 Clarkson Pond Dam.