Washinton-Wilkes Orchard Dam dam
Washinton-Wilkes Orchard Dam
Washington-Wilkes Orchard Dam, located in the Celeste Community of Wilkes, Georgia, is a privately owned earth dam primarily used for irrigation purposes. Constructed in 1978 by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the dam stands at a height of 22 feet with a length of 228 feet, providing a storage capacity of 66 acre-feet. Despite being unregulated by the state and having a low hazard potential, the dam is classified as having a moderate risk level, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance.
The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, with a buttress core type and an unknown foundation. While it has not been rated for its condition, the risk assessment indicates a moderate level of risk associated with the structure. Although the dam has not been modified in recent years and lacks an emergency action plan, it serves as a crucial water resource for the area. With its location in a region vulnerable to climate change impacts, such as increased droughts and extreme weather events, the Washington-Wilkes Orchard Dam underscores the significance of sustainable water management practices in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
As a key feature in the local water infrastructure, Washington-Wilkes Orchard Dam contributes to the agricultural activities in the area and plays a vital role in ensuring water availability for irrigation purposes. With its historical significance and practical utility, the dam serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible water resource management in the context of changing climate conditions. By prioritizing regular inspections, risk assessments, and potential mitigation measures, stakeholders can work towards safeguarding the dam and its surrounding ecosystem for future generations.
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 Washinton-Wilkes Orchard Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kettle Creek Near Washington | 2 cfs | → |
| Broad River Near Bell | 408 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Washington | 8 cfs | → |
| South Fork Broad River At Carlton | 87 cfs | → |
| Broad River Above Carlton | 320 cfs | → |
| Oconee River Near Penfield | 257 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Washinton-Wilkes Orchard Dam.
Boat launches
- Gills Point Road Lincoln County
- Russell Pointe Drive 3845, Elberton
- State Road S-33-168, Mount Carmel
- Pearl Mill Road 1437, Elberton
- County Road 381, Elberton
- Middleton Church Road 1276, Elberton
Campgrounds
- Equestrian Camping
- Pioneer Camping Area
- Rv/Tent Camping
- A.H. Stephens State Park
- Broad River - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Pioneer 2
Fishing spots
Track Washinton-Wilkes Orchard 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 Washinton-Wilkes Orchard Dam
Where does the data for Washinton-Wilkes Orchard 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 Washinton-Wilkes Orchard Dam.