Caughmans Duck Pond Dam dam
Caughmans Duck Pond Dam
Caughmans Duck Pond Dam, also known as Denley Caughman Pond Dam, is a privately owned structure located in Fairfield, South Carolina. Built in 1963 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 12 feet and spans 445 feet in length. Its primary purpose is for recreation, providing a serene setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy activities on the 9-acre surface area of the pond.
Managed by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC), Caughmans Duck Pond Dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state agency to ensure its safety and compliance with standards. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment in 2017 reported it as poor. With a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, there is a need for ongoing risk management measures to address any potential safety concerns and maintain the dam's integrity for the enjoyment of recreational activities in the area.
Located on TR-Big Wateree Creek and under the jurisdiction of the Charleston District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Caughmans Duck Pond Dam offers a picturesque retreat for visitors seeking outdoor recreation in a natural setting. As a significant feature in the local landscape, it serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining and managing water resources responsibly 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 Caughmans Duck Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Creek At Great Falls | 8 cfs | → |
| Fishing Creek Below Fort Lawn | 24 cfs | → |
| Broad River At Alston | 1,440 cfs | → |
| Broad River Near Carlisle | 916 cfs | → |
| Catawba River Below Catawba | 1,290 cfs | → |
| Wateree River Nr. Camden | 1,020 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Caughmans Duck Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Green Road Lancaster County
- Lancaster County
- Buck Hill Landing Road Kershaw County
- Morning Sun Court 98, Richland County
- Lake Carolina Drive Richland County
- Broad River Road Newberry County
Campgrounds
- Lake Wateree State Rec Area
- Camp Longridge
- Wateree Military
- Rocky Branch Seasonal Camp
- Chester State Park
- Sesquicentennial State Park
Fishing spots
Track Caughmans Duck 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 Caughmans Duck Pond Dam
Where does the data for Caughmans Duck 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 Caughmans Duck Pond Dam.