Park Pond Dam dam
Park Pond Dam
Park Pond Dam is a privately owned structure located in Chesterfield, South Carolina, along Cedar Creek. Built in 1970, this earth dam stands at a height of 13 feet and stretches 370 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 83 acre-feet. While primarily serving a recreational purpose, the dam is also regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations.
Despite its low hazard potential, Park Pond Dam has been assessed as being in poor condition as of October 2017. This raises concerns about its long-term stability and ability to withstand potential climate-related challenges, such as increased precipitation or extreme weather events. With a surface area of 10 acres, the dam poses a risk to surrounding areas in the event of a breach or failure, highlighting the importance of ongoing maintenance and risk management measures to mitigate potential hazards.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts monitor the state of Park Pond Dam, it becomes evident that proactive measures are needed to address its poor condition and ensure its resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions. Collaborative efforts between private owners, regulatory agencies, and local stakeholders will be essential in safeguarding this recreational structure and protecting the surrounding community from potential risks associated with dam failure. By prioritizing safety and sustainability, Park Pond Dam can continue to provide recreational opportunities while maintaining its integrity in the face of climate-related challenges.
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 Park Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black Creek Near Mcbee | 43 cfs | → |
| Black Creek Near Hartsville | 46 cfs | → |
| Lynches River Near Bishopville | 136 cfs | → |
| Wateree River Nr. Camden | 3,960 cfs | → |
| Pee Dee River Nr Bennettsville | 2,160 cfs | → |
| Black Creek Near Quinby | 308 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Park Pond Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Sugarloaf Mountain Rec Area - Sand Hills State Forest
- Lee State Natural Area
- H. Cooper Black
- Cheraw State Park
- Wateree Military
Fishing spots
Track Park 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 Park Pond Dam
Where does the data for Park 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 Park Pond Dam.