Hill Lake Dam dam
Hill Lake Dam
Hill Lake Dam in Cochran, Georgia, is a private-owned earth dam completed in 1942 with a primary purpose of recreation. The dam stands at 11 feet high and stretches 563 feet in length, creating a storage capacity of 114 acre-feet. Despite being unregulated by the state, the dam is subject to periodic inspections, with the last one conducted in 2004, revealing a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment.
Located in Bleckley County, Hill Lake Dam offers a serene environment for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. The dam's uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates contribute to its natural setting, while the surrounding surface area of 14 acres provides ample space for outdoor adventures. With its strategic positioning within the Savannah District and a drainage area of 78 square miles, the dam serves as a vital part of the local ecosystem.
Despite its age, Hill Lake Dam remains a resilient structure with no specific condition rating, indicating its sturdy construction. While the dam may not have a formal emergency action plan or inundation maps prepared, its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment suggest that it continues to function effectively. As water enthusiasts visit this picturesque site, they can appreciate the blend of nature and engineering that sustains the recreational opportunities offered by Hill Lake Dam.
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 Hill Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ocmulgee River At Hawkinsville | 1,310 cfs | → |
| Tucsawhatchee Creek Near Hawkinsville | 16 cfs | → |
| Oconee River At Dublin | 737 cfs | → |
| Ocmulgee River At Macon | 651 cfs | → |
| Turkey Creek At Byromville | 3 cfs | → |
| Oconee River Near Oconee | 591 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hill Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Pulaski County
- County Road Hawkinsville
- Highway 96, Bonaire
- Sand Hammock Road, Hawkinsville
- Haven Way 498, Perry
- Dodge Lake Road, Eastman
Track Hill Lake 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 Hill Lake Dam
Where does the data for Hill 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 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 Hill Lake Dam.