Watkins Lake Dam dam
Watkins Lake Dam
Watkins Lake Dam in Dodge, Georgia, is a privately owned earth dam constructed in 1994 for irrigation purposes. The dam stands at 18 feet high with a hydraulic height of 19 feet, providing a storage capacity of 377 acre-feet and a normal storage of 240 acre-feet. With a surface area of 32 acres, Watkins Lake Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the area.
Despite being unregulated by the state, the dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, and it was designed by the SCS. The last inspection in 2017 deemed the dam's condition as "not rated," illustrating the need for further evaluation and risk management measures. With a location in a rural setting, Watkins Lake Dam serves as a vital infrastructure for local agricultural activities but requires regular monitoring and maintenance to ensure its safety and functionality for the surrounding community.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the significance of Watkins Lake Dam in the Savannah District is paramount for assessing the water storage and management capabilities in the region. While the dam currently poses a low hazard potential, it is essential for stakeholders to prioritize regular inspections, risk assessments, and potential risk management measures to ensure the long-term sustainability of this critical infrastructure. By staying informed and engaged in the monitoring and maintenance efforts of Watkins Lake Dam, enthusiasts can play a crucial role in safeguarding water resources and adapting to climate challenges in the area.
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 Watkins Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Turnpike Creek Near Mcrae | · | → |
| Ocmulgee River At Lumber City | 2,260 cfs | → |
| Tucsawhatchee Creek Near Hawkinsville | 15 cfs | → |
| Ocmulgee River At Hawkinsville | 1,220 cfs | → |
| Oconee River Near Mount Vernon | 957 cfs | → |
| Oconee River At Dublin | 674 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Watkins Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Hopewell Church Road Dodge County
- Dodge Lake Road;Dodges Lake Lane Telfair County
- Halfmoon Road 471, Abbeville
- Dodge Lake Road, Eastman
- Jacksonville Boat Landing Road Telfair County
- Sand Hammock Road, Hawkinsville
Campgrounds
Track Watkins 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 Watkins Lake Dam
Where does the data for Watkins 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 Watkins Lake Dam.