Hermitage Mill Pond Dam dam
Hermitage Mill Pond Dam
Hermitage Mill Pond Dam, located in Kershaw, South Carolina, stands as a historic structure completed in 1935 with a primary purpose of recreation. This earth dam, standing at 16 feet tall and stretching 2200 feet in length, holds a normal storage capacity of 1390 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 5790 acre-feet. Situated on the Big Pine Tree Creek, the dam's poor condition assessment and high hazard potential highlight the urgent need for maintenance and repair to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and environment.
Despite being privately owned, the Hermitage Mill Pond Dam falls under state jurisdiction in South Carolina and is regulated by the state's Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). The dam's last inspection in June 2020 revealed its deteriorating state, prompting concerns over its structural integrity and potential risks. With a high hazard potential designation and poor condition assessment, the dam poses a significant threat that must be addressed promptly through necessary repairs and maintenance to mitigate any potential hazards and ensure the safety of the area's residents and water resources.
As enthusiasts of water resources and climate, monitoring and advocating for the proper maintenance and upkeep of dams like Hermitage Mill Pond Dam is crucial to prevent disasters and preserve the integrity of our natural surroundings. By staying informed and involved in the regulation and inspection processes, we can help safeguard our water resources and mitigate the risks posed by aging infrastructure like the Hermitage Mill Pond Dam.
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 Hermitage Mill Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wateree River Nr. Camden | 3,960 cfs | → |
| Lynches River Near Bishopville | 136 cfs | → |
| Black Creek Near Hartsville | 46 cfs | → |
| Wateree R. Bl Eastover | 2,400 cfs | → |
| Gills Creek At Columbia | 27 cfs | → |
| Black Creek Near Mcbee | 43 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hermitage Mill Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- West Dekalb Street Lugoff
- Buck Hill Landing Road Kershaw County
- Morning Sun Court 98, Richland County
- Lake Carolina Drive Richland County
- Green Road Lancaster County
Track Hermitage Mill 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 Hermitage Mill Pond Dam
Where does the data for Hermitage Mill 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 High 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 Hermitage Mill Pond Dam.