Vernon Coward Pond Dam dam
Vernon Coward Pond Dam
Vernon Coward Pond Dam in Fairfield, South Carolina, stands as a private-owned structure completed in 1961 primarily for recreation purposes. The dam, classified as an Earth type with a height of 20 feet and a length of 260 feet, holds a storage capacity of 70 acre-feet and covers an area of 8 acres. Situated on TR-BIG CEDAR CREEK, the dam is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC) and undergoes regular inspections, although its current condition is assessed as poor.
Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's risk assessment is considered moderate (3), prompting the need for vigilant monitoring and potential risk management measures. With a history of poor structural assessment and a lack of emergency preparedness plans, Vernon Coward Pond Dam serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining and upgrading aging infrastructure to mitigate potential risks and ensure the safety of surrounding communities and the environment. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is crucial to advocate for the preservation and modernization of such vital structures to adapt to changing climate conditions and safeguard against potential hazards.
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 Coward Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Broad River At Alston | 3,340 cfs | → |
| Smith Branch At North Main St At Columbia | 2 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Below Lk Murray Dam Nr Columbia | 2,400 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Near Columbia | 2,520 cfs | → |
| Congaree River At Columbia | 8,700 cfs | → |
| Gills Creek At Columbia | 32 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Vernon Coward Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Carolina Drive Richland County
- Morning Sun Court 98, Richland County
- Highway 6 6, Columbia
- Broad River Road Newberry County
- Cove Launch Court Lexington County
Track Vernon Coward 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 Coward Pond Dam
Where does the data for Vernon Coward 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 Vernon Coward Pond Dam.