Bates Lake Dam dam
Bates Lake Dam
Bates Lake Dam, located in Pike, Georgia, on Mountain Creek, is a privately owned structure primarily used for recreation. Completed in 1968, this earth dam stands at a height of 24 feet and has a storage capacity of 125 acre-feet. With a surface area of 8 acres and a drainage area of 100 square miles, Bates Lake Dam offers a serene setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the natural beauty of the surrounding environment.
Despite being categorized as having a low hazard potential, Bates Lake Dam has not been rated for its condition assessment, and the last inspection took place in June 2002. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, with no associated locks. Its risk assessment is considered moderate, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure. With its picturesque location and potential for outdoor recreation, Bates Lake Dam serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between human development and environmental conservation in the face of changing climatic conditions.
As a valuable resource in the Savannah District, Bates Lake Dam offers a glimpse into the intersection of water management, recreational opportunities, and infrastructure resilience. While the dam is not under federal regulation or permitting, its role in providing a recreational outlet underscores the importance of balancing human needs with environmental stewardship. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the complexities of structures like Bates Lake Dam can shed light on the challenges and opportunities inherent in managing our natural resources in a sustainable and resilient manner.
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 Bates Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Flint River Near Griffin | 60 cfs | → |
| Shoal Creek At Shoal Creek Rd | 9 cfs | → |
| Line Creek Near Senoia | 16 cfs | → |
| Flint River Near Culloden | 628 cfs | → |
| Flint River Near Lovejoy | 25 cfs | → |
| Yellowjacket Cr At Hammett Rd Blw Hogansville | 21 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bates Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- East Bagwell Road Pike County
- Talbot County
- West Mcintosh Road Spalding County
- Burch Lake Road Fayette County
- Pine Crest Drive 127, Peachtree City
Campgrounds
- Old Sawmill Campsite
- Bumblebee Ridge Campsite
- Sassafras Hill Campsite
- High Falls State Park
- F.D. Roosevelt State Park
- 419
Fishing spots
- Griffin City Reservoir
- High Falls Lake
- Padgett Lake
- Mccant's Mill Pond
- Callaway Gardens Lake
- Indian Springs State Park Lake
Track Bates 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 Bates Lake Dam
Where does the data for Bates 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 Bates Lake Dam.