Thames Lake Dam dam
Thames Lake Dam
Thames Lake Dam, located in Fayetteville, Georgia, was completed in 1953 and serves primarily for recreational purposes. The earth dam stands at a height of 14.8 feet and has a storage capacity of 71 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 37.5 acre-feet. While the dam is categorized as having low hazard potential, it has a moderate risk assessment rating.
Managed by a private owner, the dam has not been modified or inspected in recent years, and its condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Rated." The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, indicating a simpler design compared to other structures. Despite its age, Thames Lake Dam continues to provide a scenic backdrop and recreational opportunities for visitors to enjoy.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Thames Lake Dam to be an intriguing example of a privately owned earth dam in Georgia. With its historical significance dating back to the 1950s, the dam showcases the balance between recreational usage and the need for proper maintenance and risk management measures. As it remains unregulated by state agencies and has not been subject to recent inspections, the future maintenance and upkeep of Thames Lake Dam will be essential to ensure its continued safety and functionality for years to come.
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 Thames Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Flint River Near Lovejoy | 114 cfs | → |
| Pates Creek At Buster Lewis Rd Near Flippen | 30 cfs | → |
| Line Creek Near Senoia | 127 cfs | → |
| Shoal Creek At Shoal Creek Rd | 25 cfs | → |
| Flint River Near Griffin | 794 cfs | → |
| South River At Forest Park Road | 18 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Thames Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Burch Lake Road Fayette County
- Peachtree Parkway 488, Shake Rag
- 1124 Peachtree City
- Pine Crest Drive 127, Peachtree City
- West Mcintosh Road Spalding County
- Lakeshore Drive Henry County
Campgrounds
- Cochran Mill County Park
- Stone Mountain Park Campground
- Stone Mountain Campground
- High Falls State Park
- Indian Springs State Park
Fishing spots
- Jester Creek
- Clayton County International Park
- Padgett Lake
- Griffin City Reservoir
- Chapel Hill Park
- Buena Vista Lake
Track Thames 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 Thames Lake Dam
Where does the data for Thames 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 Thames Lake Dam.