Lee Lake Dam dam
Lee Lake Dam
Lee Lake Dam, located in Columbus, Georgia, was completed in 1991 by the design firm Moon, Meeks, and Patrick. This private dam, standing at 30.6 feet in height, serves as an Earth-type structure with a buttress core, providing a normal storage capacity of 103.5 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 157.7 acre-feet. The dam's purpose and associated structures are not specified, but its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment suggest a relatively stable and well-managed water resource.
Despite being uninspected since 2008, Lee Lake Dam remains in a not-rated condition, with an emergency action plan and risk management measures yet to be fully documented. The dam's uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates indicate potential vulnerabilities, although the overall risk assessment remains at a moderate level. While the dam's location along an unknown river or stream may pose challenges for regulation and enforcement, its low hazard potential offers some assurance to water resource and climate enthusiasts in the area.
With its unique design features and moderate risk profile, Lee Lake Dam presents an intriguing case study for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Its private ownership, lack of state regulation, and limited inspection history raise questions about its long-term sustainability and emergency preparedness. As enthusiasts continue to monitor and assess the dam's condition, opportunities for research and advocacy in water resource management and climate resilience may emerge, highlighting the importance of proactive stewardship in safeguarding our natural environment.
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 Lee Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chattahoochee River At Us 280 | 1,990 cfs | → |
| Upatoi Creek Near Columbus | 161 cfs | → |
| Uchee Creek Near Fort Mitchell | 81 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River At West Point | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Chewacla Creek At Chewacla State Park Nr Auburn | 2 cfs | → |
| Hannahatchee Creek At Union | 31 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lee Lake Dam.
Track Lee 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 Lee Lake Dam
Where does the data for Lee 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 Lee Lake Dam.