Russell Lake Dam dam
Russell Lake Dam
Russell Lake Dam, located in Berrien, Georgia, was completed in 1967 and serves as a vital resource for recreational activities in the area. The dam, primarily made of earth with a buttress core, stands at a height of 21 feet and has a hydraulic height of 20 feet. With a storage capacity of 329 acre-feet, the dam provides opportunities for fishing, boating, and wildlife observation on its 28-acre surface area.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the dam has not received a condition assessment rating. The last inspection was conducted in May 2016, with a scheduled frequency of every five years. Russell Lake Dam boasts an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, with no associated locks. While not state-regulated, the dam falls under the jurisdiction of Georgia and is owned by the state.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Russell Lake Dam presents an intriguing case study in dam management and recreational use. As a key feature in the local landscape, the dam offers a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of water management, environmental conservation, and public recreation. With its historical significance and potential for future development, Russell Lake Dam is a site worth monitoring for those interested in the dynamic relationship between water resources and community engagement.
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 Russell 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 | → |
| Little River Near Adel | 385 cfs | → |
| Withlacoochee River At Mcmillan Rd | 297 cfs | → |
| Okapilco Creek At Ga 33 | 14 cfs | → |
| Withlacoochee River At Us 84 | 539 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Russell Lake Dam.
Fishing spots
Track Russell 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 Russell Lake Dam
Where does the data for Russell 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 Russell Lake Dam.