Rainsford Pond Dam dam
Rainsford Pond Dam
Rainsford Pond Dam, located in Edgefield, South Carolina, was completed in 1952 and stands at a height of 31 feet with a length of 510 feet. The dam's primary purpose is for recreation, providing a tranquil setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy. With a storage capacity of 366 acre-feet and a surface area of 19.7 acres, the dam on Dry Branch is a popular spot for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and picnicking.
Despite its recreational appeal, Rainsford Pond Dam is classified as having a high hazard potential and a poor condition assessment. The dam is privately owned and regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). Inspections are conducted every two years to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure. The last assessment in 2017 indicated a need for improvements to meet safety standards and mitigate potential risks associated with the dam's condition.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts visit Rainsford Pond Dam to appreciate its natural beauty and recreational offerings, there is an ongoing effort to address the safety concerns and enhance the infrastructure. With its picturesque surroundings and potential for outdoor activities, the dam serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible management and maintenance of water resources in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Rainsford Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta Canal Nr Augusta (Upper) | 1,670 cfs | → |
| Stevens Creek Near Modoc | 585 cfs | → |
| Butler Creek Below 7th Avenue | 50 cfs | → |
| Mctier Creek (Rd 209) Near Monetta | 7 cfs | → |
| Savannah River At Augusta | 4,870 cfs | → |
| Spirit Creek At Us 1 | 33 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rainsford Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Mccormick County
- Burnettown
- Saint John's Road, Clarks Hill
- Columbia County
- Lake Springs Road Columbia County
- Lakeview Drive Parksville
Campgrounds
- Lick Fork Lake
- Lick Fork Lake Recreation Area
- Hamilton Branch State Park
- Modoc - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Petersburg - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Bussey Point Wilderness Area
Fishing spots
Track Rainsford 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 Rainsford Pond Dam
Where does the data for Rainsford 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 Rainsford Pond Dam.