Harper Lake Dam #3 dam
Harper Lake Dam #3
Harper Lake Dam #3, also known as Farmer Lake Dam, is a privately owned structure located in Gertrude, Burke County, Georgia. Built in 1963 by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this earth dam stands at a height of 16 feet and has a length of 435 feet. The primary purpose of the dam is for recreation, with a normal storage capacity of 60 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 107 acre-feet.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Harper Lake Dam #3 serves as a vital resource for the local community. The dam, which has not been rated for condition assessment, is inspected every five years to ensure its safety and integrity. Despite being uncontrolled, the spillway of the dam helps regulate the flow of water and prevent potential flooding in the area.
Overall, Harper Lake Dam #3 is a key feature in the water resource management of Burke County, Georgia. Its construction by the NRCS and primary use for recreation make it a valuable asset for both the environment and the community. Climate and water resource enthusiasts can appreciate the role this dam plays in maintaining water levels and ensuring the safety of the surrounding area.
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 Harper Lake Dam #3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ogeechee River At Midville | 344 cfs | → |
| Williamson Swamp Creek At Davisboro | 31 cfs | → |
| Brier Creek Near Waynesboro | 117 cfs | → |
| Beaverdam Creek Near Sardis | 3 cfs | → |
| Ogeechee River At Rocky Ford Rd | 613 cfs | → |
| Brier Creek At Millhaven | 274 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Harper Lake Dam #3.
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Harper Lake Dam #3 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 Harper Lake Dam #3
Where does the data for Harper Lake Dam #3 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 Harper Lake Dam #3.