Appalachee Farms Lake Dam dam
Appalachee Farms Lake Dam
Appalachee Farms Lake Dam, also known as Meeks Lake Dam, is a private-owned structure located in Oconee, Georgia, near the city of North High Shoals. Built in 1956, this earth dam stands at a height of 28 feet and spans 660 feet in length, with a capacity to store 110 acre-feet of water for recreational purposes. The dam is regulated by the state with periodic inspections conducted to ensure its safety and condition.
Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates. While it has a low hazard potential, a moderate risk assessment rating suggests the need for ongoing risk management measures. Despite not being rated for its current condition, the dam's emergency action plan status and compliance with guidelines remain unspecified. With a drainage area of 80 square miles and a normal storage capacity of 75 acre-feet, Appalachee Farms Lake Dam serves as a valuable resource for the local community's recreational activities.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts would find Appalachee Farms Lake Dam an intriguing structure to study, given its historical significance and role in providing water storage for recreational purposes. Its location in a picturesque setting in the state of Georgia, along with its unique design features and state-regulated status, make it a compelling subject for further research and monitoring. As efforts continue to manage the dam's risk and ensure its safety, this hidden gem in Oconee County remains a vital asset for both leisure and water resource conservation.
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 Appalachee Farms Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Apalachee River Near Bostwick | 53 cfs | → |
| Middle Oconee River Near Athens | 107 cfs | → |
| North Oconee River At College St | 60 cfs | → |
| Middle Oconee River Near Arcade | 118 cfs | → |
| Oconee River Near Penfield | 257 cfs | → |
| Alcovy River Above Covington | 35 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Appalachee Farms Lake Dam.
Campgrounds
- Hard Labor Creek State Park
- Camp Rutledge
- Oconee River
- Oconee River Campground
- Fort Yargo State Park
- James Shackleford County Park
Fishing spots
Track Appalachee Farms 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 Appalachee Farms Lake Dam
Where does the data for Appalachee Farms 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 Appalachee Farms Lake Dam.