O'Neal Lake Dam dam
O'Neal Lake Dam
O'Neal Lake Dam, also known as Lake Howell Dam, is a private-owned structure located in Stone Mountain, Georgia. This earth dam primarily serves the purpose of recreation, with a height of 30 feet and a hydraulic height of 25 feet. The dam has a normal storage capacity of 20 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 2 acres, with a drainage area of 92 acres. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam has a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, indicating the need for ongoing monitoring and management measures.
The dam features an uncontrolled spillway type and outlet gates, with no associated locks for navigation. It has not undergone any modifications and its last inspection was conducted in May 2005, with a scheduled inspection frequency of every 5 years. The overall condition of the dam is currently not rated, emphasizing the importance of regular assessments to ensure its structural integrity and safety. While the dam is not under state regulation or permitting, it falls within the jurisdiction of Georgia and is subject to state inspections.
Given its key role in recreational activities and its moderate risk assessment, stakeholders and enthusiasts in water resources and climate should closely monitor O'Neal Lake Dam for any potential changes in condition or hazard levels. With its location in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the surrounding area's reliance on the dam for leisure purposes, it is essential to prioritize the ongoing maintenance and management of this vital water resource infrastructure. The dam's design characteristics, storage capacity, and risk profile highlight the importance of sustainable practices and proactive measures to safeguard its functionality and ensure the safety of the local community.
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 O'Neal Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow River At Ga 124 | 78 cfs | → |
| No Business Creek At Lee Road | 2 cfs | → |
| Yellow River At Pleasant Hill Rd | 84 cfs | → |
| N.F. Peachtree Creek At Graves Rd | 0 cfs | → |
| Big Haynes Creek At Lenora Road | 9 cfs | → |
| South River At Flakes Mill Road Nr Atlanta | 40 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near O'Neal Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Chattahochee River Park Peachtree Corners
- Lakeshore Drive Henry County
- Saint Ives Country Club Parkway Johns Creek
- Johnson Ferry Road Southeast Sandy Springs
- West Palisades Vinings
- Cobb Parkway South Vinings
Campgrounds
- Stone Mountain Park Campground
- Stone Mountain Campground
- James Shackleford County Park
- Dobbins Lakeside Military
- Shoal Creek - Lake Lanier
- Sawnee
Fishing spots
- Lake To-Lani
- Avondale Lake
- Buena Vista Lake
- Chapel Hill Park
- Davidson Mountain Nature Preserve
- Murphey Candler Park
Track O'Neal 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 O'Neal Lake Dam
Where does the data for O'Neal 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 O'Neal Lake Dam.