Gay Pond Dam dam
Gay Pond Dam
Gay Pond Dam is a privately owned earth dam located in the Five Points Environs of Laurens, Georgia. Built in 1960, this recreational dam stands at 9 feet tall and spans 580 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 119 acre-feet. Situated on the Land Branch river/stream, the dam serves primarily for recreational purposes and has a low hazard potential, with a moderate risk assessment rating. Despite being state regulated and inspected, the dam's condition assessment is currently not rated.
The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, and has not been modified in recent years. With a drainage area of 1150 acres and a surface area of 18 acres, Gay Pond Dam contributes to the local ecosystem while providing opportunities for outdoor activities. While it may not have a designated emergency action plan or meet all guidelines, the dam remains a valuable asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts in the area.
Although Gay Pond Dam is not under the jurisdiction of federal agencies, its presence adds to the overall water infrastructure in the region. With its scenic surroundings and recreational offerings, the dam presents a modest yet important piece of the water resource landscape in Georgia. Enthusiasts interested in exploring the intersection of water management, climate resilience, and recreational opportunities will find Gay Pond Dam to be an intriguing case study within the context of local water resource management.
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 Gay Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Oconee River At Dublin | 635 cfs | → |
| Oconee River Near Mount Vernon | 899 cfs | → |
| Turnpike Creek Near Mcrae | · | → |
| Ocmulgee River At Hawkinsville | 1,200 cfs | → |
| Ocmulgee River At Lumber City | 2,060 cfs | → |
| Oconee River Near Oconee | 566 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gay Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Dodge Lake Road, Eastman
- Cherokee Road Wheeler County
- Sand Hammock Road, Hawkinsville
- Halfmoon Road 471, Abbeville
- Hopewell Church Road Dodge County
- County Road Hawkinsville
Track Gay 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 Gay Pond Dam
Where does the data for Gay 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 Gay Pond Dam.