Lake Brooks Dam dam
Lake Brooks Dam
Lake Brooks Dam is a privately owned structure located in Lexington, Georgia, within Oglethorpe County. Built in 1964 by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this earth dam stands at a height of 27 feet and spans 285 feet in length. The primary purpose of Lake Brooks Dam is for recreation, providing a surface area of 5 acres and a storage capacity of 52 acre-feet.
Despite being categorized as having a low hazard potential, the dam has a moderate risk assessment due to its condition not being rated. The last inspection in August 2016 indicated that the structure meets safety guidelines, with an inspection frequency of every five years. Lake Brooks Dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, making it essential for water resource and climate enthusiasts to monitor its risk management measures and emergency action plans.
With its scenic location and recreational opportunities, Lake Brooks Dam serves as a valuable asset for the community. As a part of the Savannah District, the dam offers a peaceful retreat for visitors while also highlighting the importance of maintaining infrastructure to ensure public safety and environmental conservation in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Lake Brooks Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Broad River At Carlton | 87 cfs | → |
| Oconee River Near Penfield | 295 cfs | → |
| North Oconee River At College St | 73 cfs | → |
| Broad River Above Carlton | 365 cfs | → |
| Middle Oconee River Near Athens | 120 cfs | → |
| Apalachee River Near Bostwick | 58 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Brooks Dam.
Boat launches
- Middleton Church Road 1276, Elberton
- Middleton Church Road Middleton
- Pearl Mill Road 1437, Elberton
- Olympic Rowing Drive 2790, Elberton
- Dry Fork Landing Drive 1387, Elberton
- Anderson Highway 2925, Elberton
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Lake Brooks 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 Lake Brooks Dam
Where does the data for Lake Brooks 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 Lake Brooks Dam.