Sears Lake Dam dam
Sears Lake Dam
Sears Lake Dam, located in Hazelhurst, Georgia, was completed in 1979 and stands at a height of 32 feet. The primary purpose of this earth dam, designed by Clyde Dobson, is for recreation, with a storage capacity of 286.7 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 242.3 acre-feet. The dam spans a length of 1200 feet and covers a surface area of 17.2 acres, serving as a popular spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts.
Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, Sears Lake Dam has not been rated for its condition. The dam is not regulated by the state but undergoes inspections every five years, with the last one conducted in September 2014. With uncontrolled spillways and outlets, the dam remains a safe and enjoyable recreational site for visitors.
Overall, Sears Lake Dam offers a tranquil setting for outdoor activities and water recreation in Jeff Davis County, Georgia. Its unique design and location make it a noteworthy landmark for those interested in water resource management and climate resilience initiatives. While the dam presents a moderate risk level, its low hazard potential and regular inspections ensure the safety and enjoyment of all who visit this picturesque reservoir.
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 Sears Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ocmulgee River At Lumber City | 2,670 cfs | → |
| Turnpike Creek Near Mcrae | · | → |
| Altamaha River Near Baxley | 4,410 cfs | → |
| Oconee River Near Mount Vernon | 1,070 cfs | → |
| Ohoopee River Near Reidsville | 47 cfs | → |
| Little Satilla River Near Offerman | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sears Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- East Golden Isles Highway Telfair County
- Highway 135, Uvalda
- ⛉ Riverwood Trail 45, Uvalda
- Cherokee Road Wheeler County
- Benton Powell Road 267-315, Uvalda
- Deen's Landing Road 688-700, Baxley
Track Sears 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 Sears Lake Dam
Where does the data for Sears 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 Sears Lake Dam.