Powell Lake Dam dam
Powell Lake Dam
Powell Lake Dam, located in Thomasville, Georgia, serves as a vital irrigation resource in the region. This privately owned Earth dam stands at a height of 26.6 feet and was completed in 1971. With a storage capacity of 60 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 42 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in supporting agricultural activities in the area.
Despite being unregulated by the state, Powell Lake Dam undergoes regular inspections, with the last one conducted in July 2019. Classified as having a low hazard potential and a moderate risk level, the dam continues to provide essential water resources to the community. Although its condition assessment is currently listed as 'Not Rated,' the dam's strategic location and operational efficiency make it a key asset for water management and climate resilience efforts in the region.
With a surface area of 4.2 acres and a drainage area of 30 acres, Powell Lake Dam is a significant feature in the local landscape. The dam's uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates contribute to its functionality, while its risk management measures ensure the safety of surrounding areas. As a critical component of the irrigation infrastructure, Powell Lake Dam stands as a testament to the importance of water resource management in mitigating the impacts of climate change and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices in the region.
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 Powell Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ochlockonee River Near Thomasville | 574 cfs | → |
| Okapilco Creek At Ga 33 | 14 cfs | → |
| Ochlockonee River Nr Concord | 844 cfs | → |
| Withlacoochee River At Us 84 | 654 cfs | → |
| Aucilla River At Lamont | 29 cfs | → |
| Ochlockonee River Nr Havana | 703 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Powell Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Highway 93, Cairo
- Roco County Road 16900, Tallahassee
- Hadley Ferry Road 154, Cairo
- State Park Road Grady County
- Sneads Drive 96, Greenville
- Gainous Road Boat Ramp
Fishing spots
Track Powell 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 Powell Lake Dam
Where does the data for Powell 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 Powell Lake Dam.