Garvins Millpond Dam dam
Garvins Millpond Dam
Garvins Millpond Dam, located in Aiken, South Carolina, was completed in 1948 for the primary purpose of recreation. This privately owned earth dam stands at a height of 11 feet and has a length of 450 feet, creating a storage capacity of 59 acre-feet. Situated on Dean Swamp Creek, this dam is 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 being classified as having a low hazard potential, Garvins Millpond Dam has been assessed as being in poor condition as of August 2017. The inspection frequency for this dam is set at 5 years, with the last assessment conducted in 2017. While currently not meeting the guidelines for an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and lacking updated inundation maps, the dam continues to provide recreational opportunities for the local community. With its historical significance and environmental impact on the surrounding area, Garvins Millpond Dam remains a notable feature in the water resource and climate landscape of South Carolina.
As enthusiasts of water resources and climate, understanding the role of Garvins Millpond Dam in managing water levels and providing recreational benefits offers a glimpse into the intricate world of dam infrastructure. With its unique design and historical significance, this earth dam serves as a focal point for both environmental conservation efforts and recreational enjoyment along Dean Swamp Creek. Keeping a close eye on its condition and regulatory oversight ensures a sustainable future for this important water resource feature in South Carolina.
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 Garvins Millpond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mctier Creek (Rd 209) Near Monetta | 1 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Denmark | 222 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Cope | 225 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Bamberg | 225 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Below Lk Murray Dam Nr Columbia | 759 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Near Columbia | 830 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Garvins Millpond Dam.
Boat launches
- Savannah Highway Neeses
- Burnettown
- Cabana Way Lexington County
- Sandlapper Way 159, Lexington County
- Eastshore Drive 143, Lexington County
- Shillings Bridge Road Orangeburg County
Fishing spots
Track Garvins Millpond 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 Garvins Millpond Dam
Where does the data for Garvins Millpond 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 Garvins Millpond Dam.