Hightower Lake Dam dam
Hightower Lake Dam
Hightower Lake Dam, located in the picturesque surroundings of SILVERTOWN ENVIRONS in Upson County, Georgia, is a privately-owned dam designed by FRANK BINFORD. Built in 1940, this Earth-type dam rises 24 feet high and spans 305 feet in length, containing a storage capacity of 943 acre-feet to provide for recreational purposes. Situated on BASIN CREEK, the dam boasts a surface area of 70 acres and a drainage area of 2350 acres, making it an ideal spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Hightower Lake Dam has not been officially rated for its condition assessment. However, the dam has undergone regular inspections, with the last one conducted in June 2018. While it is not state-regulated or permitted, the dam is subject to state jurisdiction and enforcement, ensuring its safety and compliance with standards. Despite its uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, the dam remains a popular destination for outdoor recreation, offering a serene environment for visitors to enjoy the beauty of nature.
For those interested in water resource management and climate impact, Hightower Lake Dam serves as a fascinating example of a privately-owned structure contributing to environmental conservation and recreational opportunities in Georgia. With its historical significance, scenic location, and moderate risk level, the dam invites exploration and study for enthusiasts seeking to understand the intersection of human intervention and natural ecosystems in the context of water resources and climate sustainability.
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 Hightower Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Flint River Near Culloden | 628 cfs | → |
| Flint River Near Griffin | 60 cfs | → |
| Shoal Creek At Shoal Creek Rd | 9 cfs | → |
| Line Creek Near Senoia | 16 cfs | → |
| Flint River Near Lovejoy | 25 cfs | → |
| Tobesofkee Creek Near Macon | 6 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hightower Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Talbot County
- East Bagwell Road Pike County
- Highway 128 5374-5376, Roberta
- West Mcintosh Road Spalding County
- Burch Lake Road Fayette County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Mccant's Mill Pond
- Griffin City Reservoir
- High Falls Lake
- Callaway Gardens Lake
- Padgett Lake
- Lake Tobesofkee
Track Hightower 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 Hightower Lake Dam
Where does the data for Hightower 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 Hightower Lake Dam.