Tara Lake Dam dam
Tara Lake Dam
Tara Lake Dam, also known as Dunns Lake, is a local government-owned structure located in Appling, Georgia. Built in 1955 by designer Luther Drennan, this earth dam stands at 26 feet tall and spans 942 feet in length. With a primary purpose of recreation, the dam offers a storage capacity of 1063 acre-feet and a surface area of 46 acres, making it a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts in the region.
Despite its recreational appeal, Tara Lake Dam poses a high hazard potential due to its poor condition assessment. The dam is regulated by the Georgia SAFE Dams Program and undergoes regular inspections, with the most recent one conducted in August 2020. While the risk assessment for the dam is moderate, there are currently no risk management measures in place to address potential hazards.
As a vital water resource in the region, Tara Lake Dam serves as both a recreational and safety structure for the local community. With its unique design and historical significance, efforts to improve its condition and implement risk management strategies are essential to ensure the continued safety and enjoyment of this important water feature.
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 Tara Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Altamaha River Near Baxley | 3,720 cfs | → |
| Ohoopee River Near Reidsville | 43 cfs | → |
| Ocmulgee River At Lumber City | 2,260 cfs | → |
| Little Satilla River Near Offerman | 1 cfs | → |
| Altamaha River At Doctortown | 4,860 cfs | → |
| Oconee River Near Mount Vernon | 957 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Tara Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Landing Road 438, Baxley
- Deen's Landing Road 688-700, Baxley
- Getaway Lane, Surrency
- Benton Powell Road 267-315, Uvalda
- ⛉ Riverwood Trail 45, Uvalda
- Highway 135, Uvalda
Campgrounds
Track Tara 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 Tara Lake Dam
Where does the data for Tara 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 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 Tara Lake Dam.