Smiths Pond dam
Smiths Pond
Smiths Pond, also known as Helen O Smith Dam, is a privately owned water resource located in Newberry, South Carolina. This dam, completed in 1959, serves primarily for irrigation purposes but also offers recreational opportunities. With a dam height of 22 feet and a storage capacity of 155 acre-feet, Smiths Pond covers a surface area of 20 acres and draws water from the TR-Bush River.
Despite its low hazard potential, Smiths Pond has been rated as being in poor condition, last inspected in October 2017. The dam is regulated and inspected by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, ensuring its compliance with state safety standards. While the dam does not have a spillway, its operation is overseen by state agencies to mitigate any potential risks and ensure the safety of the surrounding community.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Smiths Pond offers a glimpse into the intersection of human infrastructure and environmental stewardship. Its historical significance, coupled with its modern-day regulatory oversight, highlights the importance of maintaining and monitoring dams for both water supply and public safety. As a key player in the irrigation network of the area, Smiths Pond stands as a testament to the balance between human needs and natural resources in the face of a changing climate.
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 Smiths Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little River Nr Silverstreet | 41 cfs | → |
| Saluda River At Chappells | 348 cfs | → |
| Lake Greenwood Tailrace Nr Chappells | 360 cfs | → |
| Enoree River At Whitmire | 117 cfs | → |
| Bush River Nr Prosperity | 14 cfs | → |
| Tyger River Near Delta | 333 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Smiths Pond.
Boat launches
- Arrowhead Drive Greenwood County
- Broad River Road Newberry County
- 844 Riverbend Point, Leesville, Sc 29070
- Garlington Drive Laurens County
- Sassafras Lane Newberry County
Campgrounds
- Brick House Campground
- Brick House
- Lake Greenwood State Park
- Collins Creek Seasonal Camp
- Sedalia
- Sedalia Campground
Fishing spots
Track Smiths Pond 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 Smiths Pond
Where does the data for Smiths Pond 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 Smiths Pond.