Helms Pond Dam dam
Helms Pond Dam
Helms Pond Dam, also known as James W Helms Dam, is a private-owned structure located in Lancaster, South Carolina. Built in 1926, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 25 feet and spans a length of 485 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 52 acre-feet. The primary purpose of Helms Pond Dam is for recreation, providing a scenic spot for visitors to enjoy activities such as fishing and boating on the 6-acre surface area of the pond.
Despite its low hazard potential, Helms Pond Dam has been assessed to be in poor condition as of October 2017. The dam is classified as having a moderate risk level, indicating the need for proactive risk management measures to ensure its continued safety and functionality. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC) regulates and inspects the dam, enforcing necessary maintenance and safety standards to prevent any potential hazards.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in Helms Pond Dam can appreciate its historical significance and recreational value, while also recognizing the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to mitigate risks and ensure the safety of the surrounding community. As a private-owned dam in a picturesque setting along TR-CANE CREEK, Helms Pond Dam serves as a reminder of the intersection between human infrastructure and natural water resources, highlighting the need for responsible stewardship in managing these vital assets.
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 Helms Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Waxhaw Creek At Sr1103 Near Jackson | 1 cfs | → |
| Catawba River Below Catawba | 1,290 cfs | → |
| Fishing Creek Below Fort Lawn | 24 cfs | → |
| Rocky Creek At Great Falls | 8 cfs | → |
| Wildcat Creek Below Rock Hill | 3 cfs | → |
| Catawba River Near Rockhill | 853 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Helms Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Lancaster County
- Catawba Nation Greenway Trail York County
- Waterford Trail Rock Hill
- Green Road Lancaster County
- Piedmont Medical Center Trail York County
- New Gray Rock Road Tega Cay
Campgrounds
- Andrew Jackson State Park
- Cane Creek Park
- Sign Language
- Ebenezer County Park
- Williams Farm
- Lake Wateree State Rec Area
Track Helms 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 Helms Pond Dam
Where does the data for Helms 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 Helms Pond Dam.