Blackmons Pond Dam dam
Blackmons Pond Dam
Blackmons Pond Dam, located in Laurens, South Carolina, was completed in 1977 and serves as a key recreational spot for water enthusiasts. This privately owned earth dam stands at a height of 28 feet and spans 465 feet in length, offering a serene surface area of 12 acres for activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. With a normal storage capacity of 101 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 161 acre-feet, the dam provides a picturesque backdrop for outdoor adventures along the TR-Little River.
Maintained by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC), Blackmons Pond Dam has a low hazard potential and is currently assessed as being in fair condition as of September 2017. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, ensuring a steady flow of water downstream while minimizing flood risks to the surrounding area. The risk assessment for the dam is moderate, indicating a need for ongoing monitoring and management measures to safeguard its structural integrity and surrounding ecosystem.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Blackmons Pond Dam presents a unique opportunity to appreciate the intersection of human engineering and natural beauty. Its role in providing recreational access to the Little River watershed underscores the importance of sustainable dam management practices in preserving water resources for future generations. As a focal point for outdoor recreation in South Carolina, Blackmons Pond Dam stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of human and natural landscapes.
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 Blackmons Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Rabon Creek Near Gray Court | 190 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Near Ware Shoals | 2,600 cfs | → |
| Lake Greenwood Tailrace Nr Chappells | 9,240 cfs | → |
| Saluda River At Chappells | 9,230 cfs | → |
| Little River Nr Silverstreet | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Enoree River Near Woodruff | 2,220 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Blackmons Pond Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Lake Greenwood State Park
- Brick House
- Brick House Campground
- Sedalia
- Sedalia Campground
- Collins Creek Seasonal Camp
Fishing spots
Track Blackmons 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 Blackmons Pond Dam
Where does the data for Blackmons 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 Blackmons Pond Dam.