Van Orsdal Lake Dam dam
Van Orsdal Lake Dam
Van Orsdal Lake Dam, located in Fannin, Georgia, is a privately owned structure constructed in 1970 by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The dam serves a primary purpose of recreation, providing a serene setting for water enthusiasts to enjoy. Standing at a height of 31 feet with a hydraulic height of 25 feet, the dam creates a reservoir with a storage capacity of 113 acre-feet and a surface area of 7 acres on the Black Ankle Creek.
Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, Van Orsdal Lake Dam has not been rated for its condition assessment. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, with inspections conducted every five years. The surrounding area offers a picturesque environment for outdoor activities, attracting visitors to its recreational opportunities. With its stable structure and historical significance, the dam continues to be a vital part of the water resource landscape in Georgia.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the role Van Orsdal Lake Dam plays in providing a recreational outlet for residents and visitors alike. With its earth dam type and buttress core, the structure showcases innovative engineering techniques from its time of construction. While the dam may not be regulated by the state, its presence adds to the cultural and environmental richness of the region. As climate change continues to impact water resources, understanding and preserving structures like Van Orsdal Lake Dam becomes increasingly important for future generations.
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 Van Orsdal Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Toccoa River Near Dial | 247 cfs | → |
| Cartecay River Near Ellijay | 142 cfs | → |
| Coosawattee River Near Ellijay | 247 cfs | → |
| Fausett Creek Near Talking Rock | 3 cfs | → |
| Nottely River Near Blairsville | 61 cfs | → |
| Ocoee River At Copperhill | 245 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Van Orsdal Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Mallard Point Road 109, Fannin County
- Jack's Creek Boat Ramp
- Watts Place South Union County
- Doucette Circle 2647, 30512
- Nottely Dam Road Union County
- Toccoa Avenue 104, Mccaysville
Campgrounds
- Toccoa River Sandy Bottoms Recreation Area
- Hawk Mountain (Base) Campsite
- Deep Hole
- Deep Hole Recreation Area
- Frank Gross
- Frank Gross Recreation Area
Fishing spots
- Noontootla Creek Farms
- Dockery Lake
- Carters Lake
- Childers Creek Trailhead
- Big Bend
- Hickory Nut Cove Trout Farm
Paddle runs
- Mark Trail Wilderness Boundry To Old Turnpike Crossing Near Vandiver Branch
- Source Near Chattahoochee Gap To Mark Trail Wilderness Boundary
- Old Turnpike Crossing To Martin Branch Bridge
- Martin Branch Bridge To Robertsontown Bridge On Ga Highway 356
- Source In Cohutta Wilderness To Nf Boundary North Of Murray's Lake
- Southern Boundary Cohutta Wilderness Near Peter Cove To Northern Boundary Cohutta Wilderness Near Alaculsy
Track Van Orsdal 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 Van Orsdal Lake Dam
Where does the data for Van Orsdal 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 Van Orsdal Lake Dam.