Kenny Bates Dam dam
Kenny Bates Dam
Kenny Bates Dam, located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, stands as a vital structure along the Snake Swamp, serving primarily for recreational purposes. This private-owned dam, with a height of 16 feet and a length of 450 feet, boasts a storage capacity of 56 acre-feet and a surface area of 8 acres. Despite its fair condition assessment and high hazard potential, the dam has been deemed to pose a moderate risk, indicating the need for proper risk management measures.
Maintained by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, the Kenny Bates Dam has state jurisdiction and is subject to state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. As a buttress earth dam with uncontrolled spillway type, the structure has not undergone significant modifications over the years. With its last inspection conducted in October 2020, the dam necessitates a biennial inspection frequency to ensure its continued safety and functionality.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Kenny Bates Dam serves as an intriguing case study in dam management and risk assessment. With its moderate risk level and fair condition, the dam presents challenges and opportunities for implementing effective risk management measures to safeguard both the structure and surrounding areas from potential hazards. As efforts continue to monitor and maintain the dam, its role in providing recreational opportunities and water resource management remains a crucial aspect of the local ecosystem.
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 Kenny Bates Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Fork Edisto River At Orangeburg | 222 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Cope | 217 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Bamberg | 215 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Denmark | 214 cfs | → |
| Salkehatchie River Near Miley | 60 cfs | → |
| Wateree R. Bl Eastover | 2,400 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kenny Bates Dam.
Track Kenny Bates 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 Kenny Bates Dam
Where does the data for Kenny Bates 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 Kenny Bates Dam.