Simms Lake Dam dam
Simms Lake Dam
Simms Lake Dam, located in Ben Hill, Georgia, is a private earth dam primarily used for recreation. Built in 1950, this dam stands at a height of 18 feet and has a storage capacity of 180 acre-feet. With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, the dam poses minimal threat to surrounding areas. The dam is inspected every five years, with the last inspection conducted in October 2016.
Despite being privately owned, Simms Lake Dam falls under state jurisdiction and is regulated by the state of Georgia. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, with a surface area of 13 acres and a drainage area of 60 square miles. The dam's purpose is solely for recreation, offering a scenic location for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the water and surrounding environment. The dam is located in the South Fitzgerald environs, making it a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.
Overall, Simms Lake Dam serves as a vital asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts in the region. While it may not have a significant impact on water management or climate mitigation, the dam provides a valuable recreational space for the community. With its low hazard potential and regular inspections, Simms Lake Dam remains a safe and enjoyable spot for outdoor activities and nature appreciation.
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 Simms Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Alapaha River Near Alapaha | 56 cfs | → |
| Little R At Tifton Worth Co Line Rd | 10 cfs | → |
| Turnpike Creek Near Mcrae | · | → |
| Tucsawhatchee Creek Near Hawkinsville | 14 cfs | → |
| Ocmulgee River At Lumber City | 2,120 cfs | → |
| Ocmulgee River At Hawkinsville | 1,200 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Simms Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Dodge Lake Road;Dodges Lake Lane Telfair County
- Hopewell Church Road Dodge County
- Jacksonville Boat Landing Road Telfair County
- Halfmoon Road 471, Abbeville
- Highway 520, Enigma
- Richards Drive, Enigma
Track Simms 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 Simms Lake Dam
Where does the data for Simms 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 Simms Lake Dam.