Buckhead Pond Dam dam
Buckhead Pond Dam
Buckhead Pond Dam, also known as W R Grace Dam 1, is a private-owned structure located in Laurens, South Carolina. Completed in 1958, this earth-type dam stands at 20 feet high and spans 430 feet in length, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 304 acre-feet. Situated on Buckhead Creek, the dam serves the primary purpose of recreation and other uses, providing a surface area of 31 acres for water enthusiasts to enjoy.
Despite its low hazard potential, Buckhead Pond Dam is currently assessed to be in poor condition as of the last inspection in September 2017. The dam is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC), which conducts regular inspections and enforces compliance with safety standards. While the risk assessment and emergency action plan for the dam are not specified, the structure's deteriorating condition highlights the importance of ongoing maintenance and monitoring to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and ecosystem.
With its picturesque setting and recreational opportunities, Buckhead Pond Dam serves as a vital water resource for the region. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is essential to stay informed about the condition of such structures to advocate for necessary upgrades and maintenance to protect the environment and ensure the safety of all those who benefit from this dam and its reservoir.
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 Buckhead Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Enoree River Near Woodruff | 115 cfs | → |
| Durbin Creek Above Fountain Inn | 6 cfs | → |
| South Rabon Creek Near Gray Court | 7 cfs | → |
| Reedy River Above Fork Shoals | 81 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Near Ware Shoals | 246 cfs | → |
| Enoree River At Pelham | 45 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Buckhead Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Garlington Drive Laurens County
- Berry Shoals Road 370, Spartanburg County
- Arden Road Greenville County
- Arrowhead Drive Greenwood County
Campgrounds
- Sedalia Campground
- Sedalia
- Croft State Natural Area
- Brick House
- Brick House Campground
- Collins Creek Seasonal Camp
Fishing spots
Track Buckhead 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 Buckhead Pond Dam
Where does the data for Buckhead 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 Buckhead Pond Dam.