Dickens Lake Dam dam
Dickens Lake Dam
Dickens Lake Dam, located in Hancock County, Georgia, was completed in 1960 and serves primarily for recreational purposes. This Earth dam, with a height of 30 feet and a length of 660 feet, holds a maximum storage capacity of 3,290 acre-feet of water from Sikes Creek. The dam's hydraulic height is measured at 23 feet, providing a surface area of 46 acres for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing in the Howell Grove Environs near the city.
Although the dam is privately owned and not regulated by the state, it has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. The last inspection conducted in 2001 deemed the structure in "Not Rated" condition. With an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, the dam has not been modified since its completion. The risk management measures, emergency action plans, and inundation maps for the dam are currently not updated or available, suggesting a need for improved safety protocols and preparedness in case of emergencies.
Despite its age and lack of recent assessments, Dickens Lake Dam remains a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers in Georgia. As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, ensuring the safety and maintenance of such dams is essential for the community's well-being and the preservation of the environment. Efforts to update risk assessments, emergency plans, and inspection protocols for the dam could help mitigate potential risks and enhance the overall resilience of this recreational water resource for future generations.
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 Dickens Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Oconee River At Milledgeville | 294 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Eatonton | 38 cfs | → |
| Murder Creek Below Eatonton | 38 cfs | → |
| Oconee River At Avant Mine | 372 cfs | → |
| Kettle Creek Near Washington | 2 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Washington | 11 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dickens Lake Dam.
Campgrounds
- Lawrence Shoals
- Oconee Springs County Park
- Old Salem
- Parks Ferry
- Lake Sinclair
- Lake Sinclair Recreation Area
Fishing spots
Track Dickens 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 Dickens Lake Dam
Where does the data for Dickens 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 Dickens Lake Dam.