Fricks Pond Dam dam
Fricks Pond Dam
Fricks Pond Dam, also known as Bates Pond, is a private dam located in Saluda, South Carolina. Built in 1978 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at 27 feet high and spans 575 feet in length, serving primarily for irrigation purposes on CHINQUAPIN CREEK. With a storage capacity of 157 acre-feet and a surface area of 13 acres, Fricks Pond Dam is regulated by SC DHEC and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its fair condition and high hazard potential are managed effectively.
Despite its fair condition assessment, Fricks Pond Dam poses a moderate risk factor (3) due to its uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates. The dam's emergency action plan was last revised in 2015, and it meets regulatory guidelines for risk management. The dam is not owned or funded by federal agencies, but it is overseen by the Natural Resources Conservation Service for design and construction. With its strategic location and crucial role in irrigation, Fricks Pond Dam stands as a vital water resource structure in South Carolina, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts alike.
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 Fricks Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mctier Creek (Rd 209) Near Monetta | 7 cfs | → |
| Bush River Nr Prosperity | 169 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Below Lk Murray Dam Nr Columbia | 764 cfs | → |
| Little River Nr Silverstreet | 231 cfs | → |
| Saluda River At Chappells | 4,110 cfs | → |
| Lake Greenwood Tailrace Nr Chappells | 4,240 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fricks Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- 844 Riverbend Point, Leesville, Sc 29070
- Sandlapper Way 159, Lexington County
- Cabana Way Lexington County
- Eastshore Drive 143, Lexington County
- Shull Island Boat Ramp
- Sassafras Lane Newberry County
Campgrounds
- Dreher Island State Rec Area
- Boggy Campground
- Aiken State Park
- Woodmen Of The World Park
- Faulkner Mountain Campground
- Lick Fork Lake
Fishing spots
- Lick Fork Lake
- Lake Olmstead
- J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir
- Cherokee Creek
- Pittman Lake
- Parsons Mountain Lake
Track Fricks 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 Fricks Pond Dam
Where does the data for Fricks 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 Fricks Pond Dam.