South Fork Broad River Ws #19 dam
South Fork Broad River Ws #19
South Fork Broad River Watershed Structure #19 is a state-owned earth dam located in Oglethorpe, Georgia, with the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along Hawks Creek. Constructed in 1968 by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this dam stands at a height of 41 feet and has a storage capacity of 1815 acre-feet. Despite its critical role in flood control, the dam is currently rated as having a high hazard potential and poor condition, last inspected in August 2016.
With a drainage area of 3854 acres and a normal storage capacity of 119.9 acre-feet, South Fork Broad River WS #19 poses a moderate risk, according to the data available. The dam features uncontrolled spillways and outlet gates, reflecting its outdated design in need of modernization. As climate change continues to impact water resources and increase the frequency of extreme weather events, it is crucial for the responsible state agency, the Georgia Safe Dams Program, to prioritize the maintenance and potential upgrades of this vital infrastructure to ensure the safety of downstream communities.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is imperative to monitor and advocate for the proper management of dams like South Fork Broad River WS #19 to mitigate flood risks and protect local ecosystems. By staying informed about the condition and regulatory oversight of such structures, we can contribute to the resilience of our water infrastructure in the face of changing environmental challenges. The data on this dam serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for proactive measures to safeguard our water resources and communities in the midst of a changing climate.
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 South Fork Broad River Ws #19 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Broad River At Carlton | 87 cfs | → |
| North Oconee River At College St | 65 cfs | → |
| Broad River Above Carlton | 343 cfs | → |
| Middle Oconee River Near Athens | 141 cfs | → |
| Oconee River Near Penfield | 279 cfs | → |
| Apalachee River Near Bostwick | 56 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near South Fork Broad River Ws #19.
Boat launches
- Middleton Church Road 1276, Elberton
- Middleton Church Road Middleton
- Pearl Mill Road 1437, Elberton
- Anderson Highway 2925, Elberton
- Olympic Rowing Drive 2790, Elberton
- Dry Fork Landing Drive 1387, Elberton
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Chapman Lake
- Twin Lakes
- Richard B Russell Lake
- Ah Stephens State Park
- Reservoir Number One
- Lightwood Log Creek
Paddle runs
- Confluence Of Brasstown Creek And Little Brasstown Creek Just South Of Brasstown Falls Road (Fs 751) To Confluence Of Mill Branch, Brasstown Creek And Boatwright Creek Near Boatwright Road (Fs 753)
- Confluence Of Cedar Creek To 1/4 Mile Below The Nf Boundary And Fh 110, Cobbs Bridge Road
- Nf Boundary To Glenwood Springs/Lake Sinclair
- 1/4 Mile Below Fs 745 And Cassidy Bridge Hunt Camp To Confluence Of Cedar Creek
- South Of Cedar Creek Rifle Range To Confluence With Chauga River
- Crpssing Of Land Bridge Road, Sc 196 To 1/4 Mile Below Fs 745 And Cassidy Bridge Hunt Camp
Track South Fork Broad River Ws #19 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 South Fork Broad River Ws #19
Where does the data for South Fork Broad River Ws #19 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 High 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 South Fork Broad River Ws #19.