Em Smith Pond Dam dam
Em Smith Pond Dam
Em Smith Pond Dam, located in Calhoun, South Carolina, is a privately-owned earth dam primarily used for recreation purposes. Standing at a height of 22 feet and a length of 260 feet, this dam has a maximum storage capacity of 143 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 108 acre-feet. Situated on the TR-Santee River, the dam offers a surface area of 9 acres for water enthusiasts to enjoy various recreational activities.
Despite its undetermined hazard potential and not yet rated condition assessment, Em Smith Pond Dam remains a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. The dam, constructed with a buttress core type and an unlisted/unknown foundation, has not been modified since its completion year is unknown. With no state regulation or inspection in place, the safety and maintenance of this dam rely solely on the private owner.
While the risk assessment, emergency action plan, and inundation maps for Em Smith Pond Dam are currently unavailable, its picturesque location and recreational offerings continue to draw visitors seeking a tranquil escape. With its close proximity to the Santee River and the Charleston District, this dam serves as a hidden gem for water resource and climate enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in the beauty of South Carolina's natural landscape.
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 Em Smith Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wateree R. Bl Eastover | 2,400 cfs | → |
| North Fork Edisto River At Orangeburg | 216 cfs | → |
| Santee River Near Pineville | 618 cfs | → |
| Gills Creek At Columbia | 12 cfs | → |
| South Fork Edisto River Near Bamberg | 209 cfs | → |
| Congaree River At Columbia | 2,310 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Em Smith Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Us 601 Calhoun County
- Landing Lane Calhoun County
- Coveside Circle 28, Calhoun County
- Palmetto Trail Lake Marion Passage Clarendon County
- Boy Scout Circle Orangeburg County
- Santee Drive Orangeburg County
Campgrounds
- Poinsett State Park
- Santee State Park
- Polly's Landing Campground
- Bluff Campground
- Longleaf Campground
- Falcons Nest Military - Shaw Afb
Paddle runs
Track Em Smith 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 Em Smith Pond Dam
Where does the data for Em Smith 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 Undetermined 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 Em Smith Pond Dam.