Smith Lake Dam dam
Smith Lake Dam
Smith Lake Dam, located in the picturesque surroundings of Lake Tonowanda in Georgia, stands as a testament to the importance of water resource management and recreational opportunities. Built in 1950, this private-owned Earth dam primarily serves the purpose of recreation, offering a serene escape for visitors to enjoy the tranquil waters and surrounding natural beauty. With a dam height of 23 feet and a storage capacity of 109 acre-feet, Smith Lake Dam provides a peaceful oasis for water enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
Despite its low hazard potential, Smith Lake Dam undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam's uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates add to its unique charm, while the surrounding area boasts a surface area of 8 acres and a drainage area of 185 acres. With its moderate risk assessment rating, Smith Lake Dam remains a beloved destination for those seeking refuge in nature, offering a blend of recreational opportunities and environmental stewardship. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Smith Lake Dam stands as a reminder of the delicate balance between human enjoyment and the preservation of our natural landscapes.
As visitors marvel at the beauty of Smith Lake Dam and its surroundings, they are reminded of the importance of sustainable water management practices and the need to prioritize the protection of our water resources. With its rich history, scenic location, and commitment to recreation, Smith Lake Dam serves as a beacon for water resource and climate enthusiasts, showcasing the harmonious relationship between humanity and nature. Whether enjoying a day of fishing, boating, or simply taking in the serene views, Smith Lake Dam offers a sanctuary for all who appreciate the beauty and significance of our waterways.
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 Smith Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ocmulgee River At Macon | 651 cfs | → |
| Tobesofkee Creek Near Macon | 6 cfs | → |
| Falling Creek Near Juliette | 5 cfs | → |
| Oconee River At Milledgeville | 294 cfs | → |
| Murder Creek Below Eatonton | 38 cfs | → |
| Oconee River At Avant Mine | 372 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Smith Lake Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Central City Park - State Fairgrounds
- Claystone County Park
- Dames Ferry County Park
- Arrowhead County Park
- Warner Robins Afb Military
- Lake Sinclair Recreation Area
Fishing spots
- Lake Tobesofkee
- Miller Creek Lake Recreation Area
- Houston Lake
- Lake Sinclair
- Indian Springs State Park Lake
- High Falls Lake
Track Smith 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 Smith Lake Dam
Where does the data for Smith 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 Smith Lake Dam.