Patten Lake Dam dam
Patten Lake Dam
Patten Lake Dam, located in Lanier, Georgia, is a private earth dam on the Mill Branch river, with a height of 23 feet and a length of 686 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 261 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 55 acre-feet. Although the dam is uncontrolled, it has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating.
Designed by George Rice of the NRCS, Patten Lake Dam is subject to state jurisdiction and inspection, with the last inspection conducted in March 2016. Despite its age and condition assessment of "Not Rated," the dam remains a crucial structure for water resource management in the area. With its picturesque surroundings and vital role in water storage and management, Patten Lake Dam serves as a significant landmark for water resource and climate enthusiasts in the region.
As a private dam in Georgia, Patten Lake Dam stands as a testament to engineering ingenuity and the importance of proper maintenance and oversight in ensuring the safety and functionality of water infrastructure. With its uncontrolled spillway and moderate risk assessment, the dam serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between water resource management and environmental protection. For those passionate about water resources and climate issues, Patten Lake Dam offers a unique opportunity to study the intersection of human infrastructure with natural ecosystems.
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 Patten Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Withlacoochee River At Mcmillan Rd | 183 cfs | → |
| Alapaha River At Statenville | 58 cfs | → |
| Alapaha River Near Alapaha | 67 cfs | → |
| Withlacoochee River At Us 84 | 512 cfs | → |
| Alapaha River Near Jennings Fla | 117 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Adel | 276 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Patten Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Valdosta Highway, Valdosta
- Highway 94, Statenville
- Adel Highway 17562, Barney
- Madison Highway 6461, Valdosta
- Rountree Bridge Road Colquitt County
- Reed Bingham State Park
Fishing spots
Track Patten 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 Patten Lake Dam
Where does the data for Patten 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 Patten Lake Dam.