Watson Pond Dam

TR-CLOUDS CREEK· Saluda, South Carolina· Built 1955· 22 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Watson Pond Dam is classified as low hazard in South Carolina. It was completed in 1955 and is 71 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 22 ft (taller than 52.9% in SC)
Max Storage156 acre-ft
Normal Storage96 acre-ft
Surface Area10 acres
Year Completed1955 (71 years old)
NID IDSC01252

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: October 9, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: SC DHEC

Ownership

RIDGE VIEW FARMS LLC;YON FAMILY ORCHARDS LLC

Private

Nearby Dams

R M Watsons Pond Dam

Saluda, SC

High Hazard 26 ft

O T Price Dam

Saluda, SC

Low Hazard 22 ft

R M Watson Dam

Saluda, SC

High Hazard 22 ft

Burton Pond Dam

Saluda, SC

High Hazard 14 ft

Padgetts Pond Dam

Saluda, SC

Low Hazard 21 ft

R M Watson Dam

Saluda, SC

Low Hazard 20 ft

Boatwrights Pond Dam

Saluda, SC

Low Hazard 25 ft

Harold E Frick Dam

Saluda, SC

Low Hazard 23 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Watson Pond Dam?

Watson 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 Watson Pond Dam?

Watson Pond Dam is owned by RIDGE VIEW FARMS LLC;YON FAMILY ORCHARDS LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Watson Pond Dam built?

Watson Pond Dam was completed in 1955, making it 71 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 Watson Pond Dam?

Watson 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 Watson Pond Dam?

Watson Pond Dam has a dam height of 22 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 Watson Pond Dam last inspected?

Watson Pond Dam was last inspected on October 9, 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.