Gray Lake Dam dam
Gray Lake Dam
Gray Lake Dam, also known as Smith Lake Dam, is a private structure located in Columbia, Georgia. This earth dam, with a height of 28 feet and a hydraulic height of 22 feet, primarily serves recreational purposes. The dam has a normal storage capacity of 68 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 92 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 8 acres.
Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, Gray Lake Dam has not been rated for its condition. The dam features uncontrolled spillways and outlet gates, with no associated locks or locks. The last inspection conducted on the dam was in August 2018, with a scheduled inspection frequency of 5 years. While the dam is not state regulated or permitted, it falls under the jurisdiction of Georgia.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts may find Gray Lake Dam an interesting structure to study due to its unique design features and recreational purpose. Its location in a picturesque area of Georgia adds to its appeal, making it a potential subject for further research on dam safety and management practices. Despite its low hazard potential, ongoing inspections and risk assessments are crucial to ensuring the continued safety and effectiveness of Gray Lake Dam.
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 Gray Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Stevens Creek Near Modoc | 43 cfs | → |
| Augusta Canal Nr Augusta (Upper) | 2,440 cfs | → |
| Butler Creek Below 7th Avenue | 8 cfs | → |
| Spirit Creek At Us 1 | 11 cfs | → |
| Savannah River At Augusta | 4,290 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Washington | 18 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gray Lake Dam.
⚓ Boat launches
- Lake Springs Road Columbia County
- Columbia County
- Ridge Road 5943, Columbia County
- Saint John's Road, Clarks Hill
- Mccormick County
- Double Branches Boat Ramp
⛺ Campgrounds
- Wildwood County Park
- Petersburg - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Ridge Road - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Bussey Point Wilderness Area
- Pointes West Military - Fort Gordon
- Mistletoe State Park
🎣 Fishing spots
More fishing →Track Gray 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 Gray Lake Dam
Where does the data for Gray 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 Gray Lake Dam.