Spencer Lake Dam dam
Spencer Lake Dam
Spencer Lake Dam in Haralson, Coweta, Georgia, is a picturesque earth dam situated on Gray Branch, primarily serving the purpose of recreation. Standing at a height of 18.2 feet with a hydraulic height of 13.2 feet, the dam boasts a length of 960 feet and a storage capacity of 65.3 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the dam has not been inspected since July 1984 and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment.
Owned by the local government, Spencer Lake Dam is not state-regulated and does not have any associated structures or federal agency involvement. While the dam's spillway is uncontrolled, the outlet gates also lack control mechanisms. The surrounding area covers 7.4 acres, providing a serene setting for recreational activities. With its unique design features, including a buttress core and unlisted/unknown foundations, Spencer Lake Dam stands as a testament to engineering ingenuity in the realm of water resource management.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Spencer Lake Dam an intriguing subject for study and exploration. From its historical construction details to its current risk assessment status, the dam offers a glimpse into the intersection of human intervention and natural forces. As efforts to enhance dam safety and resilience continue, Spencer Lake Dam serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive monitoring and maintenance in safeguarding vital water resources for present and 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 Spencer Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Line Creek Near Senoia | 16 cfs | → |
| Flint River Near Griffin | 60 cfs | → |
| Shoal Creek At Shoal Creek Rd | 9 cfs | → |
| Flint River Near Lovejoy | 25 cfs | → |
| Pates Creek At Buster Lewis Rd Near Flippen | 10 cfs | → |
| New River At Ga 100 | 33 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Spencer Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Burch Lake Road Fayette County
- West Mcintosh Road Spalding County
- Pine Crest Drive 127, Peachtree City
- 1124 Peachtree City
- Peachtree Parkway 488, Shake Rag
- East Bagwell Road Pike County
Campgrounds
- Cochran Mill County Park
- Mcintosh Reserve Park
- Old Sawmill Campsite
- Chattahoochee Bend State Park
- Bumblebee Ridge Campsite
- Sassafras Hill Campsite
Fishing spots
- Padgett Lake
- Griffin City Reservoir
- Jester Creek
- Clayton County International Park
- High Falls Lake
- Callaway Gardens Lake
Track Spencer 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 Spencer Lake Dam
Where does the data for Spencer 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 Spencer Lake Dam.