Virgil Smith Dam dam
Virgil Smith Dam
Virgil Smith Dam, located in Ben Hill, Georgia, was completed in 1968 and serves primarily for irrigation purposes. This Earth dam, with a height of 16 feet and a length of 685 feet, has a storage capacity of 88 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 9 acres. The dam is classified as having a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating.
Managed by a private owner, Virgil Smith Dam was designed by SCS and falls under the jurisdiction of the state of Georgia. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, with no associated locks. While the dam has not been rated for its condition, it has undergone its last inspection in 2008. Despite the lack of state regulation and inspection, the dam's risk management measures aim to address potential risks and ensure the safety of the surrounding area.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Virgil Smith Dam presents an interesting case study of a privately owned irrigation structure in Georgia. The dam's location, design, and operational details provide valuable insights into the management of water resources in the region. With a focus on risk assessment and management, this dam serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining infrastructure for sustainable water use and environmental protection in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Virgil Smith Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Turnpike Creek Near Mcrae | · | → |
| Alapaha River Near Alapaha | 56 cfs | → |
| Ocmulgee River At Lumber City | 2,120 cfs | → |
| Little R At Tifton Worth Co Line Rd | 10 cfs | → |
| Oconee River Near Mount Vernon | 933 cfs | → |
| Altamaha River Near Baxley | 3,510 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Virgil Smith Dam.
Boat launches
- Jacksonville Boat Landing Road Telfair County
- Dodge Lake Road;Dodges Lake Lane Telfair County
- Court Rd 598 Coffee County
- Hopewell Church Road Dodge County
- Halfmoon Road 471, Abbeville
- East Golden Isles Highway Telfair County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Virgil Smith Dam 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 Virgil Smith Dam
Where does the data for Virgil Smith Dam 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 Low 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 Virgil Smith Dam.