Wight Pond System #4 Dam dam
Wight Pond System #4 Dam
Wight Pond System #4 Dam, located in Cairo, Georgia, serves primarily for irrigation purposes and stands as a testament to human ingenuity in harnessing water resources for agricultural needs. Built in 1952, this earth dam with a buttress core spans 550 feet in length and reaches a height of 20 feet, providing vital storage of 113 acre-feet of water for this region. Despite being uncontrolled, the spillway width and outlet gates ensure the safe release of excess water, with a low hazard potential according to the dam's risk assessment.
Although not state-regulated, Wight Pond System #4 Dam undergoes regular inspections, last conducted in November 2016, with a moderate risk rating of 3. The dam's condition remains unrated, but its historical significance in supporting local agriculture and managing water resources in Grady County, Georgia, cannot be understated. The dam's strategic position within the Savannah District underscores its importance in the local ecosystem, providing a lifeline for farmers and residents in times of water scarcity.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and precipitation patterns, dams like Wight Pond System #4 play a crucial role in maintaining water security and resilience in the face of increasing variability. By understanding and appreciating the engineering marvels behind such structures, water resource and climate enthusiasts can better advocate for sustainable water management practices that prioritize both environmental conservation and human welfare.
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 Wight Pond System #4 Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ochlockonee River Near Thomasville | 473 cfs | → |
| Ochlockonee River Nr Concord | 1,640 cfs | → |
| Little Attapulgus Creek At Attapulgus | 4 cfs | → |
| Flint River At Bainbridge | 7,510 cfs | → |
| Ochlockonee River Nr Havana | 1,770 cfs | → |
| Little River Nr Quincy | 121 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wight Pond System #4 Dam.
Boat launches
See all →
Fishing spots
See all →
River runs
See all →
More reservoirs
See all →
About Wight Pond System #4 Dam
Where does the data for Wight Pond System #4 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 below 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.
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.