Messers Pond

Colonels Creek· Richland, South Carolina· Built 1940· Earth· 13 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Messers Pond is classified as low hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1940 and is 86 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 13 ft (taller than 14.9% in SC)
Dam Length442 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage341 acre-ft
Normal Storage152 acre-ft
Surface Area47 acres
Drainage Area12 sq mi
Year Completed1940 (86 years old)
NID IDSC00232

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: March 24, 2021
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Fort Jackson

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Dupre Pond

Richland, SC

Low Hazard 13 ft

Upper Davis Pond

Richland, SC

Low Hazard 11 ft

J R Powell Dam

Kershaw, SC

Low Hazard 14 ft

Woodcreek Dam

Richland, SC

High Hazard 19 ft

Beaver Lake Dam

Richland, SC

High Hazard 20 ft

Tucker Lake Dam

Richland, SC

Low Hazard 36 ft

Walden Place Pond Dam

Richland, SC

High Hazard 23 ft

Cook Pond Dam

Kershaw, SC

Unknown 12 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Messers Pond?

Messers Pond is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Messers Pond?

Messers Pond is owned by Fort Jackson (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Messers Pond built?

Messers Pond was completed in 1940, making it 86 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Messers Pond?

Messers Pond serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Messers Pond?

Messers Pond has a dam height of 13 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Messers Pond last inspected?

Messers Pond was last inspected on March 24, 2021. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.