3 Sisters Lake Dam dam
3 Sisters Lake Dam
3 Sisters Lake Dam, also known as Norman Lake Dam, is a private earth dam located in Wilkes, Georgia. Built by the Soil Conservation Service (SCS), this dam serves primarily for recreation purposes with a height of 28 feet and a length of 350 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 277 acre-feet and a surface area of 23 acres, making it an ideal spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore.
Despite being privately owned, the dam is under state jurisdiction and has been inspected regularly, with the last inspection conducted in September 2016. Classified as having a low hazard potential and a moderate risk level, the dam has not been rated for its condition assessment. With uncontrolled spillways and outlet gates, the dam presents a unique opportunity for visitors to witness how water management is handled in a recreational setting.
Located in a picturesque setting with unknown river or stream affiliation, 3 Sisters Lake Dam offers a glimpse into the intersection of human-made structures and natural water resources. With its scenic beauty and potential for outdoor activities, this dam is a must-visit destination for those interested in the intricate relationship between water resources, climate, and recreational infrastructure.
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 3 Sisters Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little River Near Washington | 18 cfs | → |
| Kettle Creek Near Washington | 3 cfs | → |
| Broad River Near Bell | 689 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Mt. Carmel | 68 cfs | → |
| South Fork Broad River At Carlton | 87 cfs | → |
| Broad River Above Carlton | 488 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near 3 Sisters Lake Dam.
⚓ Boat launches
- Mcduffie County
- Thomson Highway Lincolnton
- Gills Point Road Lincoln County
- Savannah Scenic Way South Lincoln County
- Soap Creek Boat Ramp
- State Road S-33-366, Mccormick
⛺ Campgrounds
- Big Hart - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Raysville - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Hesters Ferry - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Clay Hill - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Broad River - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Leroys Ferry - Strom Thurmond Lake
🎣 Fishing spots
- Ah Stephens State Park
- Cliatt Creek
- Cherokee Creek
- Richard B Russell Lake
- J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir
- Parsons Mountain Lake
Track 3 Sisters 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 3 Sisters Lake Dam
Where does the data for 3 Sisters 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 3 Sisters Lake Dam.