Bensons Pond Dam dam
Bensons Pond Dam
Bensons Pond Dam, also known as Brazell Pond Dam, is a privately owned structure located in Calhoun, South Carolina. Completed in 1955, this earth dam stands at a height of 26 feet and spans a length of 570 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 78 acre-feet. The primary purpose of the dam is for recreational use, providing a surface area of 6 acres for activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation.
Despite its low hazard potential, Bensons Pond Dam is currently assessed as being in poor condition, with a moderate risk level. The dam's last inspection in March 2017 revealed that improvements are needed to ensure its long-term safety and stability. While it is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and undergoes regular inspections, there are concerns about its overall structural integrity and emergency preparedness measures.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Bensons Pond Dam serves as a fascinating case study in the management of private dams for recreational purposes. As efforts continue to assess and address the dam's condition and risks, stakeholders and regulators must work together to prioritize safety, environmental stewardship, and the sustainable use of this valuable water resource in the Bates Mill Creek watershed.
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 Bensons Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wateree R. Bl Eastover | 2,400 cfs | → |
| North Fork Edisto River At Orangeburg | 222 cfs | → |
| Gills Creek At Columbia | 12 cfs | → |
| Congaree River At Columbia | 2,340 cfs | → |
| Smith Branch At North Main St At Columbia | 3 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Near Columbia | 840 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bensons Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Us 601 Calhoun County
- Shillings Bridge Road Orangeburg County
- Landing Lane Calhoun County
- Savannah Highway Neeses
- Coveside Circle 28, Calhoun County
- Palmetto Trail Lake Marion Passage Clarendon County
Track Bensons 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 Bensons Pond Dam
Where does the data for Bensons 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 Bensons Pond Dam.