Cook Pond Dam dam
Cook Pond Dam
Located in Aiken, South Carolina, Cook Pond Dam stands as a historic structure completed in 1910 for the primary purpose of recreation. This earth dam, with a height of 15 feet and a length of 270 feet, holds a maximum storage capacity of 81 acre-feet, with a normal storage of 61 acre-feet. The dam overlooks the picturesque Rocky Springs Creek, offering a serene and tranquil setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and enjoy.
Despite its age and historical significance, Cook Pond Dam is facing challenges with a poor condition assessment as of the last inspection in August 2017. The dam's hazard potential is rated as low, but its risk assessment indicates a very high risk level. With a limited inspection frequency of every 5 years, there is a need for increased monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety and integrity of the dam. As a state-regulated structure under the supervision of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), Cook Pond Dam serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive management and conservation of our water resources.
As efforts are made to address the risk management measures and improve the condition of Cook Pond Dam, it remains a valuable asset for the local community and a significant part of South Carolina's water infrastructure. With its controlled spillway and recreational purpose, the dam continues to provide opportunities for outdoor activities and enjoyment for residents and visitors alike. As stakeholders work towards enhancing the dam's safety and longevity, Cook Pond Dam stands as a testament to the intersection of history, water resource management, and climate resilience in the region.
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 Cook Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mctier Creek (Rd 209) Near Monetta | 20 cfs | → |
| Augusta Canal Nr Augusta (Upper) | 2,130 cfs | → |
| Savannah River At Augusta | 4,580 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Denmark | 262 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Below Lk Murray Dam Nr Columbia | 770 cfs | → |
| Bush River Nr Prosperity | 387 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cook Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Burnettown
- Sandlapper Way 159, Lexington County
- Cabana Way Lexington County
- Eastshore Drive 143, Lexington County
- Savannah Highway Neeses
- 844 Riverbend Point, Leesville, Sc 29070
Campgrounds
- Aiken State Park
- Lick Fork Lake
- Barnwell State Park
- Lick Fork Lake Recreation Area
- Dreher Island State Rec Area
- Boggy Campground
Fishing spots
Track Cook 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 Cook Pond Dam
Where does the data for Cook 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 Cook Pond Dam.