Sinclair dam
Sinclair
Sinclair, also known as Furman Shoals, is a captivating hydroelectric dam located in Milledgeville, Georgia on the Oconee River. Built in 1953 with a dam height of 104 feet and a hydraulic height of 92 feet, it serves multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation, recreation, and water supply. The dam has a storage capacity of 490,000 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 15,330 acres, making it a crucial water resource infrastructure in the region.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Sinclair Dam has a controlled spillway with a width of 870 feet and 24 Tainter (radial) outlet gates. With a hazard potential rated as high and a risk assessment indicating very high risk, the dam requires regular inspections and emergency action plans to ensure public safety. Despite its age, Sinclair Dam continues to play a vital role in water management and energy production in the area, showcasing the importance of sustainable water resource infrastructure in the face of climate change and increasing water demands.
As a gravity-type dam with a rock foundation, Sinclair Dam stands as a testament to engineering excellence and the importance of proactive risk management in the face of potential hazards. The dam's location in Baldwin County, Georgia, coupled with its significant storage capacity and drainage area, highlights its crucial role in water management and flood control in the region. With its rich history and ongoing importance, Sinclair Dam remains a key player in the sustainable development and utilization of water resources in Georgia.
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 Sinclair -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Oconee River At Milledgeville | 294 cfs | → |
| Oconee River At Avant Mine | 372 cfs | → |
| Murder Creek Below Eatonton | 38 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Eatonton | 38 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek At Ga 272 | 23 cfs | → |
| Oconee River Near Oconee | 591 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sinclair .
Campgrounds
- Oconee Springs County Park
- Lake Sinclair
- Lake Sinclair Recreation Area
- Lawrence Shoals
- Old Salem
- Hamburg State Park
Fishing spots
Track Sinclair 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 Sinclair
Where does the data for Sinclair 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 High 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 Sinclair .