Lake Walter Richards Dam No. 2 dam
Lake Walter Richards Dam No. 2
Lake Walter Richards Dam No. 2, also known as Middle Huston Lake Dam, is a privately owned structure located in Harris County, Georgia, near Columbus. Built in 1950, this earth dam stands at a height of 18.6 feet and serves primarily for recreational purposes, offering a surface area of 9.2 acres for water enthusiasts to enjoy. With a normal storage capacity of 59.8 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 96 acre-feet, the dam has a low hazard potential and is currently rated as in "Not Rated" condition.
Situated along an unknown river or stream, the Lake Walter Richards Dam No. 2 has an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, making it a serene location for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. The dam is surrounded by picturesque landscapes, offering a peaceful retreat for visitors seeking to connect with nature. While the dam is not regulated by the state and has not been inspected or permitted, its moderate risk assessment suggests that precautionary measures should be taken to ensure its long-term integrity and safety for the surrounding community.
Despite its lack of state oversight, Lake Walter Richards Dam No. 2 remains a hidden gem for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to explore lesser-known recreational spots in Georgia. With its historical significance as a part of the region's landscape and its potential for outdoor enjoyment, this dam stands as a testament to the beauty and resilience of natural water resources in the area. Whether for a leisurely day out on the water or a peaceful retreat into the great outdoors, this privately owned structure offers a unique opportunity to connect with the environment and appreciate the importance of water conservation efforts in the face of changing climate patterns.
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 Lake Walter Richards Dam No. 2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chattahoochee River At West Point | 877 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River At Us 280 | 1,990 cfs | → |
| Upatoi Creek Near Columbus | 309 cfs | → |
| Chewacla Creek At Chewacla State Park Nr Auburn | 5 cfs | → |
| Uchee Creek Near Fort Mitchell | 184 cfs | → |
| Sougahatchee Creek At Co Rd 188 Nr Loachapoka | 30 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Walter Richards Dam No. 2.
Track Lake Walter Richards Dam No. 2 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 Lake Walter Richards Dam No. 2
Where does the data for Lake Walter Richards Dam No. 2 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 Lake Walter Richards Dam No. 2.