Dopson Pond Dam dam
Dopson Pond Dam
Dopson Pond Dam, also known as Dobbs Lake, is a private-owned structure located in Telfair, Georgia. Built by designer Clyde Dopson in 1965, this earth dam stands at a height of 26 feet and has a hydraulic height of 22 feet. With a primary purpose of recreation, the dam offers a storage capacity of 213 acre-feet and a surface area of 14 acres, making it a popular spot for water enthusiasts in the Jacksonville environs.
Despite being unregulated by the state, Dopson Pond Dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, with a drainage area of 175 square miles. While the condition assessment is currently not rated, the last inspection in May 2017 revealed no immediate concerns. With its picturesque setting and recreational opportunities, Dopson Pond Dam serves as a vital water resource for the surrounding community.
As a notable feature in the Jacksonville District of Georgia, Dopson Pond Dam not only provides recreational benefits but also plays a role in water management and conservation efforts. With its unique design and historical significance, this earth dam continues to attract water resource and climate enthusiasts who appreciate its contribution to the local ecosystem and landscape.
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 Dopson Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Turnpike Creek Near Mcrae | · | → |
| Ocmulgee River At Lumber City | 2,120 cfs | → |
| Alapaha River Near Alapaha | 56 cfs | → |
| Oconee River Near Mount Vernon | 933 cfs | → |
| Altamaha River Near Baxley | 3,510 cfs | → |
| Tucsawhatchee Creek Near Hawkinsville | 14 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dopson Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Jacksonville Boat Landing Road Telfair County
- Dodge Lake Road;Dodges Lake Lane Telfair County
- Hopewell Church Road Dodge County
- East Golden Isles Highway Telfair County
- Halfmoon Road 471, Abbeville
- Court Rd 598 Coffee County
Campgrounds
- Ben Hill Landing County Park
- Paulk City Park
- Little Ocmulgee State Park
- General Coffee State Park
- Towns Bluff County Park
Fishing spots
Track Dopson Pond 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 Dopson Pond Dam
Where does the data for Dopson Pond 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 Dopson Pond Dam.