Located in Candler, Georgia, Cooks Pond Dam is a privately owned earth dam with a primary purpose of recreation.
Wind
Humidity
Built in 1955 by designer O.J. CLIETT, this dam stands at a height of 13 feet and has a structural height of 12 feet, creating a reservoir with a normal storage capacity of 237 acre-feet. The dam spans a length of 660 feet and is situated on the LITTLE STOCKING HEAD river or stream.
Despite being classified with a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment, Cooks Pond Dam has not undergone a formal condition assessment and is currently rated as "Not Rated." The last inspection of the dam was conducted in June 2016 with an inspection frequency of every 5 years. The dam features uncontrolled spillways and outlet gates, with no associated locks, making it a relatively simple structure in terms of hydraulic design.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Cooks Pond Dam presents an interesting case study of a privately owned recreational dam in the state of Georgia. With its historical construction in the mid-20th century and its current risk assessment status, this dam offers insights into the management and maintenance of smaller dams in a rural setting. The lack of state regulation and permitting for this dam raises questions about the oversight and enforcement of safety standards in similar private dam structures across the country.
Year Completed |
1955 |
Dam Length |
660 |
Dam Height |
13 |
River Or Stream |
LITTLE STOCKING HEAD |
Primary Dam Type |
Earth |
Surface Area |
50 |
Hydraulic Height |
12 |
Drainage Area |
3000 |
Nid Storage |
392 |
Structural Height |
12 |
Outlet Gates |
Uncontrolled |
Hazard Potential |
Low |
Foundations |
Unlisted/Unknown |
Nid Height |
13 |
Ogeechee River At Rocky Ford Rd
|
881cfs |
Canoochee River Near Claxton
|
81cfs |
Ohoopee River Near Reidsville
|
209cfs |
Ogeechee River At Midville
|
674cfs |
Black Creek Near Blitchton
|
38cfs |
Beaverdam Creek Near Sardis
|
6cfs |
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
George L Smith State Park
|
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Primative 4
|
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Primative 5
|