Ahern Big Pond Dam dam
Ahern Big Pond Dam
Located in Wilcox, Georgia, the Ahern Big Pond Dam is a privately owned structure designed by Reeves and completed in 1971. With a primary purpose of recreation, this Earth dam stands at a height of 19 feet and stretches 720 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 209 acre-feet. The dam's normal storage level is 165 acre-feet, serving as a picturesque spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy the serenity of its 20-acre surface area.
Operated by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Ahern Big Pond Dam has a low hazard potential and has not been rated for condition assessment. Despite being uncontrolled, the spillway and outlet gates ensure proper water management, while the moderate risk level (3) suggests a need for ongoing monitoring and risk management measures. The dam's last inspection in 2016 revealed no significant concerns, making it a relatively safe and attractive destination for recreational activities in the Sibbie Environs area.
Overall, Ahern Big Pond Dam serves as both a functional and recreational landmark in the region, offering visitors a tranquil retreat amidst its scenic surroundings. While it may not be heavily regulated by state agencies, the dam's design and construction by private entities have provided a valuable resource for local residents and travelers alike. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the importance of maintaining and monitoring structures like Ahern Big Pond Dam becomes increasingly crucial for sustainability and safety.
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 Ahern Big Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tucsawhatchee Creek Near Hawkinsville | 16 cfs | → |
| Little R At Tifton Worth Co Line Rd | 13 cfs | → |
| Turnpike Creek Near Mcrae | · | → |
| Ocmulgee River At Hawkinsville | 1,310 cfs | → |
| Alapaha River Near Alapaha | 51 cfs | → |
| Flint River At Ga 32 | 1,820 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ahern Big Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Hopewell Church Road Dodge County
- Halfmoon Road 471, Abbeville
- Dodge Lake Road;Dodges Lake Lane Telfair County
- Sand Hammock Road, Hawkinsville
- Jacksonville Boat Landing Road Telfair County
- Dodge Lake Road, Eastman
Track Ahern Big Pond 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 Ahern Big Pond Dam
Where does the data for Ahern Big Pond 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 Ahern Big Pond Dam.