Sandy Creek Ws Structure # 15 dam
Sandy Creek Ws Structure # 15
Sandy Creek WS Structure # 15, located in Commerce Community, Georgia, is a state-regulated dam on Big Sandy Creek primarily designed for flood risk reduction. Completed in 1962 by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this earth dam stands at a height of 38 feet with a hydraulic height of 28 feet and a length of 724 feet. It has a storage capacity of 1205 acre-feet and serves a drainage area of 2604 acres, making it a crucial infrastructure for managing water resources in the region.
Despite its vital role, Sandy Creek WS Structure # 15 presents certain challenges as it has been assessed as having a poor condition, with a high hazard potential. The last inspection conducted in January 2017 highlighted the need for improvements to ensure the dam's safety and functionality. With a moderate risk assessment rating, there is a call for risk management measures to be implemented to address the existing vulnerabilities and enhance the resilience of the structure.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts closely monitor the status of dams like Sandy Creek WS Structure # 15, there is a growing awareness of the importance of investing in infrastructure upgrades and maintenance to mitigate potential risks and safeguard communities downstream. With its history of flood risk reduction and ongoing regulatory oversight by the Georgia-SAFE DAMS PROGRAM, this dam serves as a focal point for ongoing discussions on water management practices and the need for sustainable solutions in the face of changing environmental 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 Sandy Creek Ws Structure # 15 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Oconee River Near Arcade | 135 cfs | → |
| North Oconee River At College St | 73 cfs | → |
| Middle Oconee River Near Athens | 120 cfs | → |
| Broad River Above Carlton | 365 cfs | → |
| South Fork Broad River At Carlton | 87 cfs | → |
| Wheeler Creek At Bill Cheek Road | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sandy Creek Ws Structure # 15.
Boat launches
- Hall County
- Tugaloo Point Franklin County
- Tugaloo State Park Road Franklin County
- Choestoea Road Oconee County
- Mullins Ford Landing Road 205, Westminster
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Confluence Of Brasstown Creek And Little Brasstown Creek Just South Of Brasstown Falls Road (Fs 751) To Confluence Of Mill Branch, Brasstown Creek And Boatwright Creek Near Boatwright Road (Fs 753)
- Confluence Of Cedar Creek To 1/4 Mile Below The Nf Boundary And Fh 110, Cobbs Bridge Road
- South Of Cedar Creek Rifle Range To Confluence With Chauga River
- 1/4 Mile Below Fs 745 And Cassidy Bridge Hunt Camp To Confluence Of Cedar Creek
- Crpssing Of Land Bridge Road, Sc 196 To 1/4 Mile Below Fs 745 And Cassidy Bridge Hunt Camp
- Martin Branch Bridge To Robertsontown Bridge On Ga Highway 356
Track Sandy Creek Ws Structure # 15 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 Sandy Creek Ws Structure # 15
Where does the data for Sandy Creek Ws Structure # 15 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 Sandy Creek Ws Structure # 15.