L. B. Powell Dam dam
L. B. Powell Dam
L. B. Powell Dam, located in Thomas County, Georgia, was completed in 1972 by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and serves as a vital resource for fish and wildlife ponds, irrigation, and recreation. This earthen dam stands at 25 feet tall and spans 630 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 35 acre-feet. Situated on Tr- Olive Creek, the dam plays a crucial role in maintaining the water supply and supporting the ecosystem in the area.
Despite its low hazard potential, L. B. Powell Dam is subject to moderate risk, with a drainage area of 0.05 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 880 cubic feet per second. The spillway, measuring 30 feet in width, is uncontrolled, highlighting the importance of effective monitoring and maintenance practices to ensure the dam's structural integrity. While the dam is not currently regulated by state agencies, its significance for water resource management and environmental conservation underscores the need for ongoing assessment and risk management measures to safeguard the surrounding community.
As a private-owned structure, L. B. Powell Dam stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts between federal agencies and local stakeholders in promoting sustainable water management practices. With its focus on fish and wildlife preservation, irrigation, and recreational activities, the dam serves as a multifaceted resource that contributes to the overall well-being of the region. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the complexities and importance of structures like L. B. Powell Dam can help us appreciate the intricate balance between human needs and environmental sustainability in our ever-changing world.
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 L. B. Powell Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ochlockonee River Near Thomasville | 312 cfs | → |
| Okapilco Creek At Ga 33 | 14 cfs | → |
| Ochlockonee River Nr Concord | 783 cfs | → |
| Withlacoochee River At Us 84 | 539 cfs | → |
| Aucilla River At Lamont | 22 cfs | → |
| Ochlockonee River Nr Havana | 755 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near L. B. Powell Dam.
Boat launches
- Highway 93, Cairo
- Roco County Road 16900, Tallahassee
- Sneads Drive 96, Greenville
- Hadley Ferry Road 154, Cairo
- State Park Road Grady County
- Gainous Road Boat Ramp
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- State Highway 6 To The Confluence With The Suwannee River
- 2 Miles Below Dam On Lake Talquin To Ochlockonee Bay
- Headwaters To Concrete Bridge (Burnt Bridge) On Fh 13 (Where River Enters Bradwell Ray Wilderness)
- Bradwell Bay Wilderness (Northern Boundary) To Bradwell Bay Wilderness Boundary At Trice Bridge On Fr 329
Track L. B. Powell 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 L. B. Powell Dam
Where does the data for L. B. Powell 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 L. B. Powell Dam.