Ziegenfuss Pond Dam dam
Ziegenfuss Pond Dam
Located in Laurens, South Carolina, Ziegenfuss Pond Dam, also known as James Batson Dam, was completed in 1951 for recreational purposes along the TR-Reedy River. This private earth dam stands at a height of 27 feet and has a length of 365 feet, providing a storage capacity of 82 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment in 2017 classified it as poor, indicating a need for maintenance and repairs to ensure its long-term stability.
Operated and regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), Ziegenfuss Pond Dam is subject to state jurisdiction, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. While the dam has a moderate risk rating, with a risk management plan yet to be fully developed, it remains a popular spot for recreational activities. With its uncontrolled spillway and limited surface area of 7 acres, the dam serves as a testament to the intersection of human infrastructure and natural resources in the face of climate variability and water resource management challenges.
As climate change continues to impact weather patterns and precipitation levels, the maintenance and upkeep of dams like Ziegenfuss Pond Dam become increasingly crucial in ensuring the safety and resilience of communities and ecosystems. With a designated emergency action plan still pending and a history of poor condition assessments, the dam represents both the recreational opportunities and potential risks associated with aging infrastructure in a changing climate. As enthusiasts and stakeholders in water resource management and climate adaptation, it is imperative to monitor and address the condition of dams like Ziegenfuss Pond Dam to mitigate potential hazards and protect the surrounding environment for future generations.
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 Ziegenfuss Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Rabon Creek Near Gray Court | 89 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Near Ware Shoals | 1,780 cfs | → |
| Reedy River Above Fork Shoals | 233 cfs | → |
| Saluda River Near Williamston | 665 cfs | → |
| Durbin Creek Above Fountain Inn | 22 cfs | → |
| Enoree River Near Woodruff | 427 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ziegenfuss Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Garlington Drive Laurens County
- Arden Road Greenville County
- Arrowhead Drive Greenwood County
- Berry Shoals Road 370, Spartanburg County
- Denver Road Anderson County
- Buckskin Road Pickens County
Campgrounds
- Lake Greenwood State Park
- Parsons Mountain Lake
- Brick House
- Brick House Campground
- Sedalia Campground
- Sedalia
Fishing spots
- Parsons Mountain Lake
- Macedonia Lake
- Sedalia Lake
- Johns Creek Lake
- Richard B Russell Lake
- Lightwood Log Creek
Track Ziegenfuss 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 Ziegenfuss Pond Dam
Where does the data for Ziegenfuss 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 Ziegenfuss Pond Dam.