Plowden Pond Dam dam
Plowden Pond Dam
Plowden Pond Dam, also known as Sadie Windham Dam, is a private-owned structure located in Clarendon, South Carolina. Completed in 1955, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 13 feet and spans 140 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 91 acre-feet. The primary purpose of the dam is for recreation, providing a serene and picturesque setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy.
Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment was rated as poor during its last inspection in October 2017. The dam is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), which oversees permitting, inspection, and enforcement activities. Although the dam has not been modified in recent years, its maintenance and upkeep are crucial to ensuring the safety and longevity of this recreational water resource.
With its location along the TR-Pocotaligo River and proximity to the Charleston District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Plowden Pond Dam serves as a key feature for water enthusiasts seeking outdoor recreation in South Carolina. As efforts to assess and manage risks associated with the dam continue, it remains a valuable resource for the community while highlighting the importance of responsible water resource management 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 Plowden Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Black River At Kingstree | 41 cfs | → |
| Santee River Near Pineville | 619 cfs | → |
| Lynches River At Effingham | 159 cfs | → |
| Wateree R. Bl Eastover | 2,400 cfs | → |
| Lake Moultrie Tailrace Canal At Moncks Corner | 4,530 cfs | → |
| Santee River Nr Jamestown | 2,050 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Plowden Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- State Highway 260 Clarendon County
- Clarendon County
- Log Jam Road Clarendon County
- Williamsburg County
- Russel Store Road Berkeley County
Campgrounds
- Polly's Landing Campground
- Poinsett State Park
- Santee State Park
- Falcons Nest Military - Shaw Afb
- Lynches River County Park
Fishing spots
Track Plowden 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 Plowden Pond Dam
Where does the data for Plowden 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 Plowden Pond Dam.