Richard B. Russell Dam - Saddle Dike dam
Richard B. Russell Dam - Saddle Dike
Richard B. Russell Dam - Saddle Dike, located in Elbert, Georgia, along the Savannah River, is a Federal-owned structure designed by CESAS and managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Completed in 1986, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 25 feet and spans 1070 feet, serving primarily for hydroelectric power generation.
With a high hazard potential, this dam plays a crucial role in flood risk reduction, water supply, and recreation in the region. The dam has a storage capacity of 1,488,166 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 1,026,200 acre-feet. Although the condition assessment is not available, emergency preparedness measures, including an Emergency Action Plan, are in place to ensure the safety and security of the surrounding area.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Richard B. Russell Dam - Saddle Dike is a significant infrastructure contributing to the management of the Savannah River watershed. Its operation and maintenance by the US Army Corps of Engineers underscore its importance in supporting various purposes such as fish and wildlife habitat enhancement, flood control, and sustainable water supply for the local community.
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 Richard B. Russell Dam - Saddle Dike -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little River Near Mt. Carmel | 39 cfs | → |
| Broad River Near Bell | 408 cfs | → |
| Beaverdam Creek Ab Elberton Ga | 25 cfs | → |
| Broad River Above Carlton | 320 cfs | → |
| South Fork Broad River At Carlton | 87 cfs | → |
| Rocky River Nr Starr | 30 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Richard B. Russell Dam - Saddle Dike.
Boat launches
- Manor Ramp Road, Calhoun Falls
- Russell Pointe Drive 3845, Elberton
- State Road S-33-168, Mount Carmel
- Millwood Ramp, Calhoun Falls
- County Road 381, Elberton
- Blue Hole Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Bobby Brown State Park
- Broad River - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Calhoun Falls State Rec Area
- Mount Carmel - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Hesters Ferry - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Leroys Ferry - Strom Thurmond Lake
Fishing spots
- Richard B Russell Lake
- Parsons Mountain Lake
- Cherokee Creek
- Cliatt Creek
- Lightwood Log Creek
- J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir
Track Richard B. Russell Dam - Saddle Dike 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 Richard B. Russell Dam - Saddle Dike
Where does the data for Richard B. Russell Dam - Saddle Dike 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 High 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 Richard B. Russell Dam - Saddle Dike.