Engelhard Trapnell # 3 Plant Tailings Pond dam
Engelhard Trapnell # 3 Plant Tailings Pond
The Engelhard Trapnell # 3 Plant Tailings Pond in Wilkinson, Georgia, is a privately-owned structure designed by Engelhard and completed in 1983. This earth dam, with a height of 50 feet and a length of 7800 feet, was built for the primary purpose of storing tailings. It has a storage capacity of 2250 acre-feet and covers an area of 83 acres, serving as a critical component of the industrial process at the plant.
Despite being privately owned, the state jurisdiction ensures regular inspections of the pond, with the last inspection conducted in January 2018. The dam is classified as low hazard potential, with a moderate risk assessment score of 3. While it currently does not have a formal condition assessment, the structure is deemed to be in satisfactory condition. The presence of uncontrolled spillways and outlet gates, however, raises concerns regarding the potential for environmental impact in the event of a breach or overflow.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Engelhard Trapnell # 3 Plant Tailings Pond stands as a testament to the delicate balance between industrial development and environmental stewardship. As discussions around dam safety and risk management continue, the importance of regular inspections and adherence to regulatory standards becomes increasingly apparent. This structure serves as a reminder of the need for sustainable practices in managing water resources and mitigating potential hazards associated with industrial activities.
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 Engelhard Trapnell # 3 Plant Tailings Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Oconee River At Avant Mine | 341 cfs | → |
| Oconee River At Milledgeville | 294 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek At Ga 272 | 20 cfs | → |
| Oconee River Near Oconee | 518 cfs | → |
| Ocmulgee River At Macon | 671 cfs | → |
| Oconee River At Dublin | 618 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Engelhard Trapnell # 3 Plant Tailings Pond.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Central City Park - State Fairgrounds
- Lake Sinclair Recreation Area
- Lake Sinclair
- Warner Robins Afb Military
- Oconee Springs County Park
- Dames Ferry County Park
Fishing spots
- Lake Sinclair
- Miller Creek Lake Recreation Area
- Lake Tobesofkee
- Jordan Mill Pond
- Hamburg Millpond
- Houston Lake
Track Engelhard Trapnell # 3 Plant Tailings Pond 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 Engelhard Trapnell # 3 Plant Tailings Pond
Where does the data for Engelhard Trapnell # 3 Plant Tailings Pond 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 Engelhard Trapnell # 3 Plant Tailings Pond.