Lake Oconee Dam dam
Lake Oconee Dam
Lake Oconee Dam, located in Georgia, was completed in 1957 and serves primarily for recreation purposes. The dam, designed by T. Harrison, is an earth dam with a height of 37 feet and a length of 450 feet, providing a storage capacity of 731 acre-feet. The reservoir created by the dam covers a surface area of 39 acres and has a normal storage level of 558 acre-feet.
Despite being privately owned, Lake Oconee Dam is subject to state inspection, with the last assessment conducted in November 1992. The dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. While it is unregulated by the state, it is within state jurisdiction. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, with no associated structures or locks. The risk management measures and emergency preparedness plan for the dam are currently not rated or assessed.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts visiting Lake Oconee Dam can appreciate its contribution to the local recreational activities and the surrounding environment. The dam's design and construction serve as a testament to the importance of managing water resources responsibly and ensuring the safety and sustainability of such structures in the face of changing climate conditions. As a key feature in the region, Lake Oconee Dam stands as both a functional piece of infrastructure and a recreational asset for the community to enjoy.
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 Oconee Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Apalachee River Near Bostwick | 58 cfs | → |
| Middle Oconee River Near Athens | 120 cfs | → |
| Middle Oconee River Near Arcade | 135 cfs | → |
| North Oconee River At College St | 73 cfs | → |
| Alcovy River At New Hope Road | 18 cfs | → |
| Oconee River Near Penfield | 295 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Oconee Dam.
Campgrounds
- Fort Yargo State Park
- Hard Labor Creek State Park
- Camp Rutledge
- James Shackleford County Park
- Oconee River
- Oconee River Campground
Fishing spots
Track Lake Oconee 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 Oconee Dam
Where does the data for Lake Oconee 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 Oconee Dam.