Bartletts Ferry dam
Bartletts Ferry
Bartletts Ferry, Main Dam, also known as Lake Harding, is a captivating hydroelectric structure located in Columbus, Georgia on the Chattahoochee River. Built in 1926 and standing at a height of 150 feet, this gravity dam serves multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation and recreation. With a normal storage capacity of 183,000 acre-feet and a surface area of 5,850 acres, the dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and flood control in the region.
Managed by a public utility, Bartletts Ferry Dam is under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and has a high hazard potential due to its structural characteristics. The dam features a controlled spillway with a width of 1,785 feet and 19 Tainter gates for water release. As a popular destination for water and climate enthusiasts, the dam offers opportunities for boating, fishing, and other recreational activities in addition to its essential role in generating clean energy.
Despite its age, Bartletts Ferry Dam continues to undergo regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its safety and functionality. With a risk assessment rating of very high, the dam is closely monitored for any potential hazards or issues. As a vital piece of infrastructure in the area, Bartletts Ferry Dam remains a symbol of sustainable water resource management and climate resilience in Georgia.
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 Bartletts Ferry -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chattahoochee River At Us 280 | 1,990 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River At West Point | 866 cfs | → |
| Upatoi Creek Near Columbus | 364 cfs | → |
| Chewacla Creek At Chewacla State Park Nr Auburn | 6 cfs | → |
| Uchee Creek Near Fort Mitchell | 239 cfs | → |
| Sougahatchee Creek At Co Rd 188 Nr Loachapoka | 37 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bartletts Ferry.
⚓ Boat launches
- Mcculloh Road 9001-9499, Valley
- West 7th Street 199, West Point
- Dam Road Troup County
- Westpoint Road West Point
- County Road 390 Chambers County
- Abbottsford Road Troup County
Track Bartletts Ferry 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 Bartletts Ferry
Where does the data for Bartletts Ferry 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 High 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 Bartletts Ferry.