Maxwell Lake Dam dam
Maxwell Lake Dam
Maxwell Lake Dam, located in Decatur, Georgia, was completed in 1994 and stands at a height of 18.3 meters. This private dam, primarily used for water storage, has a normal storage capacity of 52.5 million gallons and a maximum storage of 78 million gallons. The dam is classified as a Buttress type structure with an uncontrolled spillway.
Despite its low hazard potential, Maxwell Lake Dam presents a moderate risk, with a condition assessment currently not rated. The dam has not been inspected or assessed in recent years, and emergency preparedness measures such as an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) are not in place. While the dam's risk management measures and inundation maps are not specified, the overall risk level for Maxwell Lake Dam is considered moderate.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Maxwell Lake Dam offers a case study in the importance of regular inspections, maintenance, and emergency preparedness for infrastructure such as dams. The dam's location in Decatur, Georgia, underlines the critical role of proper management of water resources in mitigating risks and ensuring the safety of communities and ecosystems 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 Maxwell Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Attapulgus Creek At Attapulgus | 7 cfs | → |
| Flint River At Bainbridge | 3,580 cfs | → |
| Ochlockonee River Nr Concord | 844 cfs | → |
| Little River Nr Quincy | 122 cfs | → |
| Ochlockonee River Nr Havana | 703 cfs | → |
| Spring Creek Near Reynoldsville | 259 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Maxwell Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Big Slough Landing Bainbridge
- State Park Road Grady County
- Bainbridge
- Cedar Springs Road Grady County
- Gainous Road Boat Ramp
- Flint River Heights Road Decatur County
Campgrounds
- High Bluff Landing - Lake Talquin State Forest
- High Bluff Campground
- Coe Landing
- River Junction - Lake Seminole
- Eastbank - Lake Seminole
- Williams Landing
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- 2 Miles Below Dam On Lake Talquin To Ochlockonee Bay
- Headwaters To Concrete Bridge (Burnt Bridge) On Fh 13 (Where River Enters Bradwell Ray Wilderness)
- Bradwell Bay Wilderness (Northern Boundary) To Bradwell Bay Wilderness Boundary At Trice Bridge On Fr 329
- Tirce Creek Bridge (Monkey Creek) To Forest Service Property Boundary In Sec 13
Track Maxwell 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 Maxwell Lake Dam
Where does the data for Maxwell 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 Maxwell Lake Dam.