High Head Branch Lake Dam dam
High Head Branch Lake Dam
High Head Branch Lake Dam, located in Burke, Georgia, is a state-owned structure with a dam height of 45 feet and a storage capacity of 2250 acre-feet. The dam, classified as a buttress type with an uncontrolled spillway, holds back the waters of High Head Branch, serving as a vital resource for water supply and flood control in the region. Despite being unregulated by the state, the dam undergoes regular inspections, with the last one conducted in July 2014.
While the hazard potential and condition assessment of High Head Branch Lake Dam are currently undetermined and not rated, respectively, the overall risk is considered moderate. With an inspection frequency of every 5 years and no Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place, the dam's risk management measures and preparedness for potential emergencies may need further attention. The dam's location within the Charleston District and its association with Representative Rick W. Allen highlight its importance in maintaining water resources and mitigating climate-related risks in the area.
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 High Head Branch Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Brier Creek Near Waynesboro | 100 cfs | → |
| Beaverdam Creek Near Sardis | 3 cfs | → |
| Brier Creek At Millhaven | 194 cfs | → |
| Savannah R At Burtons Ferry Br Nr Millhaven | 4,700 cfs | → |
| Savannah River At Augusta | 4,070 cfs | → |
| Spirit Creek At Us 1 | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near High Head Branch Lake Dam.
Fishing spots
- Magnolia Springs State Park Lake
- Gordon Lake
- Lake Olmstead
- Watson Pond
- J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir
- Lewis Lake
Track High Head Branch 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 High Head Branch Lake Dam
Where does the data for High Head Branch 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 Undetermined 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 High Head Branch Lake Dam.