Burch Lake Dam dam
Burch Lake Dam
Burch Lake Dam, located in Dodge County, Georgia, was completed in 1955 and stands at a height of 22 feet, with a primary purpose of recreation. This earth dam on Cross Creek has a storage capacity of 268 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 24 acres. While the dam has a low hazard potential, its risk assessment is moderate, indicating the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance.
Despite being privately owned, Burch Lake Dam falls under state jurisdiction and is subject to regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, with an inspection frequency of 5 years. The last inspection was conducted in October 2017, and the dam is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of its condition assessment.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Burch Lake Dam offers a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of human-made infrastructure and natural ecosystems. With its recreational focus and moderate risk assessment, the dam serves as a case study for balancing environmental and safety considerations in dam management. As climate change continues to impact water resources, understanding the maintenance and regulation of structures like Burch Lake Dam will be crucial for ensuring the sustainability of our water systems.
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 Burch Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ocmulgee River At Hawkinsville | 1,630 cfs | → |
| Tucsawhatchee Creek Near Hawkinsville | 94 cfs | → |
| Turnpike Creek Near Mcrae | 6 cfs | → |
| Oconee River At Dublin | 1,000 cfs | → |
| Oconee River Near Mount Vernon | 1,470 cfs | → |
| Turkey Creek At Byromville | 14 cfs | → |
About Burch Lake Dam
Where does the data for Burch Lake 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 below 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.
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.