Raley Millpond Dam dam
Raley Millpond Dam
Situated in Kershaw, South Carolina, the Raley Millpond Dam stands as a testament to engineering excellence since its completion in 1901. This private-owned Earth dam, with a height of 24 feet and a length of 625 feet, serves primarily for recreational purposes along the scenic Buffalo Creek. With a storage capacity of 520 acre-feet and a surface area of 100 acres, the dam offers a tranquil setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to appreciate the beauty of nature.
Despite being categorized as having a low hazard potential, the Raley Millpond Dam is subject to regular state inspections, ensuring its structural integrity and compliance with regulatory standards set by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). The dam's condition remains unrated, and although an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is not yet prepared, the frequent inspections every five years serve to mitigate any potential risks associated with the dam.
For those interested in the history and significance of water resource management, the Raley Millpond Dam provides a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of engineering ingenuity and environmental stewardship. As a vital component of the local landscape, this historic dam continues to play a crucial role in providing both recreational opportunities and water resource management in the region, underscoring the importance of sustainable infrastructure development for future generations.
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 Raley Millpond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black Creek Near Mcbee | 43 cfs | → |
| Black Creek Near Hartsville | 46 cfs | → |
| Lynches River Near Bishopville | 136 cfs | → |
| Wateree River Nr. Camden | 3,960 cfs | → |
| Rocky Creek At Great Falls | 270 cfs | → |
| Waxhaw Creek At Sr1103 Near Jackson | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Raley Millpond Dam.
Boat launches
- Buck Hill Landing Road Kershaw County
- West Dekalb Street Lugoff
- Green Road Lancaster County
- Lancaster County
Campgrounds
- Sugarloaf Mountain Rec Area - Sand Hills State Forest
- Wateree Military
- Lee State Natural Area
- H. Cooper Black
- Cheraw State Park
- Cane Creek Park
Fishing spots
Track Raley 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 Raley Millpond Dam
Where does the data for Raley 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 Raley Millpond Dam.