Handberry Pond Dam, located in Barnwell, South Carolina, is a privately owned earth dam constructed in 1965 for recreational purposes on the Big Branch river. Standing at 18 feet high and stretching 610 feet in length, the dam provides a storage capacity of 88 acre-feet and covers an area of 11 acres. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is currently assessed as being in poor condition as of the last inspection in 2017.

The dam is under the jurisdiction of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC), which regulates its operation, inspection, and enforcement. Although the dam has not undergone major modifications in recent years, its condition assessment raises concerns about its structural integrity and the potential risks it may pose. With a frequency of inspection every 5 years, the dam's emergency action plan and risk management measures are currently unspecified.

For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Handberry Pond Dam serves as a focal point not only for recreational activities but also as a case study in dam safety and maintenance. As discussions around climate change intensify, the importance of ensuring the structural integrity of such infrastructure becomes increasingly vital to prevent potential hazards and protect the surrounding environment. The future of Handberry Pond Dam will likely involve closer monitoring, maintenance, and potentially upgrades to ensure its continued safety and functionality for the community it serves.