High Shoals Earth Dam dam
High Shoals Earth Dam
High Shoals Earth Dam, located in High Shoals, Georgia, is a privately owned rockfill dam on the Apalachee River, completed in 1990 for hydroelectric purposes. The dam stands at a height of 17 feet and has a length of 350 feet, with a storage capacity of 182 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which also conducts inspections.
High Shoals Earth Dam has a surface area of 40.5 acres and serves as a key component in the local water resource management system, contributing to the overall drainage area of 151 square miles. The dam does not have a spillway, and its associated structures include GA00843 and GA00843S002. Although the condition assessment is not available, the dam has a risk assessment rating of high (2), indicating potential risks that may require further risk management measures in the future.
In the realm of water resource and climate enthusiasts, High Shoals Earth Dam serves as an intriguing case study in the intersection of hydroelectric power generation, dam infrastructure, and environmental risk management. With its location in Walton County, Georgia, this dam stands as a testament to the complex challenges and opportunities associated with managing water resources in a changing climate landscape.
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 High Shoals Earth Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Apalachee River Near Bostwick | 55 cfs | → |
| Middle Oconee River Near Athens | 113 cfs | → |
| North Oconee River At College St | 65 cfs | → |
| Oconee River Near Penfield | 293 cfs | → |
| Middle Oconee River Near Arcade | 120 cfs | → |
| Alcovy River Above Covington | 30 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near High Shoals Earth Dam .
Campgrounds
- Hard Labor Creek State Park
- Camp Rutledge
- Oconee River
- Oconee River Campground
- Fort Yargo State Park
- James Shackleford County Park
Fishing spots
Track High Shoals Earth 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 High Shoals Earth Dam
Where does the data for High Shoals Earth 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 High Shoals Earth Dam .