Carter Lake Dam Dam
Carter Lake Dam
Carter Lake Dam, located in Lanier, Georgia, was completed in 1960 and serves multiple purposes, including fire protection and as a stock or small fish pond. This private earth dam, with a height of 11 feet and a length of 1210 feet, has a storage capacity of 642 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 88 acres. While the dam has a low hazard potential and is currently not rated in terms of condition assessment, it is inspected every five years to ensure its safety and reliability.
Despite its uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, Carter Lake Dam poses a moderate risk (level 3) and falls under the jurisdiction of the state of Georgia. The dam, designed by an unknown entity, is located in the Jacksonville District and is managed by private owners. While it is not regulated by the state, it undergoes regular inspections to mitigate any potential risks. The dam's primary purpose is to provide essential water resources for fire protection and recreational activities in the area.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Carter Lake Dam a fascinating structure that plays a crucial role in water management in Lanier, Georgia. With its earth construction and moderate risk level, the dam represents a blend of functionality and potential challenges. Its location in a scenic area with a significant drainage area of 505 square miles adds to its importance in the local ecosystem. As efforts continue to ensure the dam's safety and efficiency, it remains a key feature in the region's water resource management and environmental conservation efforts.
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 Carter Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Withlacoochee River At Mcmillan Rd | 12 cfs | → |
| Alapaha River At Statenville | 127 cfs | → |
| Alapaha River Near Jennings Fla | 212 cfs | → |
| Withlacoochee River At Us 84 | 52 cfs | → |
| Withlacoochee River Near Pinetta | 141 cfs | → |
| Alapaha River Near Alapaha | 49 cfs | → |
About Carter Lake Dam
Where does the data for Carter 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 below 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.
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.