Deschamps Middle Pond Dam dam
Deschamps Middle Pond Dam
Deschamps Middle Pond Dam, located in Sumter, South Carolina, is a privately owned structure built in 1950 primarily for recreation purposes. Standing at a height of 8 feet and stretching 660 feet in length, this earth dam holds a maximum storage capacity of 83 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 34 acre-feet. The dam overlooks Pocalla Creek and has a surface area of 14 acres, making it a scenic spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy.
Despite its recreational appeal, Deschamps Middle Pond Dam poses a high hazard potential due to its poor condition assessment. The dam is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and undergoes regular inspections, the latest of which was conducted in June 2020. With a risk assessment rating of "Very High (1)", the dam's emergency action plan (EAP) status and risk management measures remain undisclosed, raising concerns about its long-term safety and sustainability for both the community and the environment. As a critical piece of infrastructure in the Charleston District, understanding and addressing the potential risks associated with Deschamps Middle Pond Dam is essential for ensuring the safety and well-being of all those who interact with it.
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 Deschamps Middle Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wateree R. Bl Eastover | 2,400 cfs | → |
| Santee River Near Pineville | 662 cfs | → |
| Lynches River Near Bishopville | 136 cfs | → |
| Wateree River Nr. Camden | 3,960 cfs | → |
| Black River At Kingstree | 32 cfs | → |
| Gills Creek At Columbia | 27 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Deschamps Middle Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Us 601 Calhoun County
- Palmetto Trail Lake Marion Passage Clarendon County
- Landing Lane Calhoun County
- Coveside Circle 28, Calhoun County
- State Highway 260 Clarendon County
- Log Jam Road Clarendon County
Campgrounds
- Poinsett State Park
- Falcons Nest Military - Shaw Afb
- Polly's Landing Campground
- Santee State Park
- Bluff Campground
- Longleaf Campground
Paddle runs
Track Deschamps Middle 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 Deschamps Middle Pond Dam
Where does the data for Deschamps Middle 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 Deschamps Middle Pond Dam.