Christopher LeMaster, Livestock and Forage Agent, Clemson Extension
Heather Nix, Water Resources Agent, Clemson Extension
It’s hard to believe we’re still talking about drought when you drive around and see lush, green pastures. While we’ve been very fortunate to receive some recent rainfall, you can still see quite a few nearly dry ponds across the landscape.
Many livestock producers rely on groundwater-fed ponds to provide drinking water for their animals. Several producers have contacted us with concerns that their ponds remain unseasonably dry despite the rain. Some of the recent groundwater maps from the South Carolina Drought Response Committee—including the groundwater drought monitor for August 15–21, 2026—suggest that groundwater levels may still be declining in some parts of the state.
One possible explanation is that rainfall and groundwater conditions are not always telling the same story.
This distinction matters because a heavy rainstorm can produce plenty of runoff without fully replenishing groundwater. If the soil is dry or compacted, or if rainfall arrives in a rapid, intense event, much of that water may move quickly into ditches and flow swiftly downstream. It may not soak deeply enough to restore groundwater supplies, which maintain the steady seeps and springs that support healthy ponds and normal streamflow.
Our rapidly developing areas may also be a contributing factor. As vegetated areas are replaced by roads, rooftops, parking areas, and other impervious surfaces, more rainfall runs off the ground surface and less water can infiltrate into the soil. Over time, that can significantly reduce groundwater recharge and change how water moves through a watershed.
Many ponds also began the summer below normal after an exceptionally dry fall and winter. High temperatures then increased evaporation rates, accelerating declining water levels further than expected during typical droughts. So even though the landscape looks green again, some water resources are still recovering from the earlier deficit.
Of course, drought is not the only possible explanation for a low pond. The following questions may help pond owners identify some possible causes:
- Is there a visible problem with the dam?
- Are pipes, spillways, and other outfall structures functioning properly?
- Have any inflowing streams or drainage areas been redirected?
- Has the pond recently been dredged, reshaped, or otherwise disturbed?
- Has the pond reached similar levels during previous droughts?
- Are there new withdrawals for irrigation, livestock, or other uses?
What if livestock depend on the pond?
Low water levels deserve extra attention when livestock rely on a pond, creek, spring, or well. The main considerations are reliability: Is enough clean water available to support a healthy livestock herd? And how long is the water supply likely to last if hot, dry weather returns? Now is a good time to have a backup plan, whether that means supplementing the existing water source or being prepared to move animals to a more reliable source. Keep a close eye on water levels as the season continues.
Clemson Extension’s publication Livestock Ponds in South Carolina provides additional information about pond water quantity, water quality, and management practices for livestock ponds.
Livestock need clean water, and water quality is impacted by weather. As a pond becomes smaller and shallower, the water may become warmer and more stagnant. Sediment, nutrients, and other contaminants may also become more concentrated. Livestock traffic around the remaining water can add manure, stir up sediment, and increase erosion. These conditions may increase the risk of problematic algae, including harmful algal blooms.
For more information about harmful algal blooms and the risks they can pose, see our recent article, “Protecting Your Herd: Managing Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs).”
If the pond develops an unusual odor or color, surface scum, a heavy algae bloom, dead fish, or other noticeable changes, livestock should be kept away until the water can be evaluated.
Recent rain is good news, and green pastures are encouraging. But rainfall does not always immediately restore groundwater levels or pond levels. For livestock producers, this is a good reminder to pay attention to both the quantity and quality of the water available to their animals.
In our next newsletter, we’ll discuss ways to improve groundwater infiltration in pastures—and how livestock can be part of the solution rather than the problem.
