Vernon Coward Pond Dam

TR-BIG CEDAR CREEK· Fairfield, South Carolina· Built 1961· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Vernon Coward Pond Dam is classified as low hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1961 and is 65 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 46.1% in SC)
Max Storage70 acre-ft
Normal Storage49 acre-ft
Surface Area8 acres
Year Completed1961 (65 years old)
NID IDSC01214

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: No
Last Inspection: April 27, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

COWARD FAMILY LLC;MICHAEL COWARD

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Vernon Coward Pond Dam?

Vernon Coward Pond Dam 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 Vernon Coward Pond Dam?

Vernon Coward Pond Dam is owned by COWARD FAMILY LLC;MICHAEL COWARD (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Vernon Coward Pond Dam built?

Vernon Coward Pond Dam was completed in 1961, making it 65 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 Vernon Coward Pond Dam?

Vernon Coward Pond Dam 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 Vernon Coward Pond Dam?

Vernon Coward Pond Dam has a dam height of 20 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 Vernon Coward Pond Dam last inspected?

Vernon Coward Pond Dam was last inspected on April 27, 2017. 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.