Boyds Pond Dam dam
Boyds Pond Dam
Boyds Pond Dam, located in Richland, South Carolina, along Toms Creek, was completed in 1963 with a primary purpose of irrigation. The dam, standing at 22 feet in height and spanning 1000 feet in length, has a storage capacity of 705 acre-feet and a surface area of 75 acres. Managed by a private entity, Boyds Pond Dam is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and integrity.
The dam's design, done by the USDA NRCS, features an earth construction with a buttress core type. With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Boyds Pond Dam operates with uncontrolled spillways and outlets. Its condition assessment is currently marked as "Not Rated", indicating a need for further evaluation. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, small fish pond, irrigation, and recreation, making it a valuable water resource for the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Boyds Pond Dam offers a fascinating example of dam infrastructure in South Carolina. With its historical significance dating back to the 1960s and its essential role in providing irrigation water, the dam stands as a key feature along Toms Creek. As efforts continue to ensure its safety and regulatory compliance, Boyds Pond Dam remains a critical piece of the region's water management infrastructure, serving both practical and recreational purposes for local communities.
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 Boyds Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wateree R. Bl Eastover | 2,400 cfs | → |
| Gills Creek At Columbia | 27 cfs | → |
| Congaree River At Columbia | 10,200 cfs | → |
| Smith Branch At North Main St At Columbia | 4 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Near Columbia | 2,670 cfs | → |
| Wateree River Nr. Camden | 3,960 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Boyds Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Us 601 Calhoun County
- Morning Sun Court 98, Richland County
- Lake Carolina Drive Richland County
- West Dekalb Street Lugoff
- Landing Lane Calhoun County
- Highway 6 6, Columbia
Track Boyds 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 Boyds Pond Dam
Where does the data for Boyds 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 Boyds Pond Dam.