Dobsons Pond Dam dam
Dobsons Pond Dam
Dobsons Pond Dam, also known as Dobson-Kennedy Dam, is a private dam located in Bamberg, South Carolina. Completed in 1959, this earth dam stands at a height of 11 feet and has a length of 360 feet. The primary purpose of this dam is for recreation, with water supply also being a secondary purpose. The dam has a storage capacity of 60 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 26 acre-feet and a surface area of 11 acres.
Managed by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC), Dobsons Pond Dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by the state. Despite being categorized as having a low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment in 2017 was deemed poor. With an inspection frequency of 5 years, the last assessment revealed the need for improvements to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure. The dam does not have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place, and further risk assessment and management measures may be required to address any potential hazards.
Situated on the TR-Little Salkehatchie River, Dobsons Pond Dam provides recreational opportunities for visitors while also serving as a water supply source. As water resource and climate enthusiasts monitor the condition and management of dams like Dobsons Pond Dam, it highlights the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure the safety of both the structure and the surrounding community. Continued oversight and potential upgrades will be essential to address any identified risks and ensure the long-term functionality of this private dam in South Carolina.
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 Dobsons Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Edisto River Near Cope | 217 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Denmark | 214 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Bamberg | 215 cfs | → |
| Salkehatchie River Near Miley | 60 cfs | → |
| North Fork Edisto River At Orangeburg | 222 cfs | → |
| Coosawhatchie River Near Hampton | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dobsons Pond Dam.
Track Dobsons 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 Dobsons Pond Dam
Where does the data for Dobsons 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 Dobsons Pond Dam.