Rast Pond Dam dam
Rast Pond Dam
Rast Pond Dam, located in Lexington, South Carolina, is a privately owned earth dam constructed in 1965 for recreation purposes along Cedar Creek. Standing at a height of 26 feet and stretching 240 feet in length, the dam boasts a storage capacity of 592 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 288 acre-feet. The dam's surface area covers 38 acres, providing a serene and picturesque setting for outdoor activities.
Managed and regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), Rast Pond Dam has been inspected regularly, with its condition assessed as fair and its hazard potential rated as low. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway type and has a moderate risk rating, indicating a proactive approach to risk management. Despite its age, the dam remains a safe and popular recreational spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking a tranquil escape in the heart of South Carolina.
With its scenic location and well-maintained infrastructure, Rast Pond Dam stands as a testament to responsible dam management and environmental stewardship. As a place where nature and recreation converge, this dam serves as a valuable resource for the community while highlighting the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climate conditions. Whether for leisurely activities or educational purposes, Rast Pond Dam continues to captivate and inspire enthusiasts who appreciate the beauty and significance of water resources in our interconnected world.
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 Rast Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Congaree River At Columbia | 2,360 cfs | → |
| Mctier Creek (Rd 209) Near Monetta | 1 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Near Columbia | 840 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Below Lk Murray Dam Nr Columbia | 759 cfs | → |
| Smith Branch At North Main St At Columbia | 2 cfs | → |
| Gills Creek At Columbia | 13 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rast Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Savannah Highway Neeses
- Cabana Way Lexington County
- Sandlapper Way 159, Lexington County
- Eastshore Drive 143, Lexington County
- Shull Island Boat Ramp
- Highway 6 6, Columbia
Campgrounds
- Aiken State Park
- Dreher Island State Rec Area
- Longleaf Campground
- Woodmen Of The World Park
- Bluff Campground
- Barnwell State Park
Track Rast 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 Rast Pond Dam
Where does the data for Rast 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 Rast Pond Dam.