Patten Seed Co Dam dam
Patten Seed Co Dam
Located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, the Patten Seed CO Dam is a privately-owned structure built in 1958 primarily for recreational purposes along the Gramling Creek. Standing at a height of 15 feet and spanning 575 feet in length, the dam has a storage capacity of 344 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 36 acres. Despite its fair condition assessment as of February 2021, the dam poses a high hazard potential and undergoes inspections every two years to ensure the safety of the surrounding community.
Managed by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC), the Patten Seed CO Dam is regulated by the state and complies with permitting, inspection, and enforcement protocols. The dam's design features an earth core with a stone foundation, serving as a recreational spot for local residents and visitors. With the presence of Congressman James E. Clyburn representing the area in Congress, the dam remains an important landmark within the Savannah District of the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Despite its high hazard potential, the Patten Seed CO Dam continues to be a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering opportunities for fishing, boating, and other recreational activities. As climate change impacts water resources and infrastructure resilience, ongoing monitoring and maintenance of the dam are crucial to ensure its long-term safety and functionality. With its historical significance and recreational value, the dam serves as a reminder of the intersection between water resources, climate, and human activities in the region.
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 Patten Seed Co Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Fork Edisto River At Orangeburg | 222 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Bamberg | 215 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Cope | 217 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Denmark | 214 cfs | → |
| Wateree R. Bl Eastover | 2,400 cfs | → |
| Gills Creek At Columbia | 12 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Patten Seed Co Dam.
Boat launches
- Shillings Bridge Road Orangeburg County
- Landing Lane Calhoun County
- Coveside Circle 28, Calhoun County
- Cannon Bridge Road ,
- Bobcat Landing Road , 29003
- Boy Scout Circle Orangeburg County
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
Track Patten Seed Co 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 Patten Seed Co Dam
Where does the data for Patten Seed Co 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 Patten Seed Co Dam.