Riddle Pond Dam dam
Riddle Pond Dam
Riddle Pond Dam, located in Laurens, South Carolina, was completed in 1975 and serves primarily for irrigation purposes. This private earth dam stands at a height of 32 feet and has a length of 555 feet, with a storage capacity of 106 acre-feet. The dam is situated on the TR-Durbin Creek and is regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Riddle Pond Dam received an unsatisfactory condition assessment during its last inspection in September 2017. The dam is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway and has a moderate risk assessment rating of 3. With a history of moderate risk and unsatisfactory conditions, it is crucial for the owners to adhere to the recommended inspection frequency of every 5 years to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the case of Riddle Pond Dam presents an interesting study in dam management and maintenance. With its location in a region susceptible to varying weather patterns and climate changes, the importance of proper upkeep and risk management measures for dams like Riddle Pond cannot be overstated. As discussions surrounding water resource sustainability and infrastructure resilience continue to grow, monitoring and addressing issues at dams such as Riddle Pond Dam will be key in ensuring the safety of communities and the environment.
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 Riddle Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Durbin Creek Above Fountain Inn | 16 cfs | → |
| Enoree River Near Woodruff | 184 cfs | → |
| Reedy River Above Fork Shoals | 392 cfs | → |
| Enoree River At Pelham | 71 cfs | → |
| South Rabon Creek Near Gray Court | 7 cfs | → |
| Reedy River Near Greenville | 66 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Riddle Pond Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Riddle Pond Dam
Where does the data for Riddle 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 below 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.
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.