Barrs Lake Dam dam
Barrs Lake Dam
Barrs Lake Dam in Newton, Georgia is a private earth dam standing at 27 feet high with a storage capacity of 471 acre-feet. Despite being unregulated by the state, the dam is subject to inspections every 5 years to ensure its structural integrity. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled, and it is classified as having a moderate risk level.
Located within the Mobile District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Barrs Lake Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region. While its primary purpose is unspecified, the dam serves as a vital infrastructure for flood control and water storage. With its hazard potential undetermined and condition not rated, ongoing assessments and risk management measures are essential to safeguard the surrounding community and environment.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will be intrigued by Barrs Lake Dam's unique design features, including its buttress core and uncontrolled spillway. The dam's moderate risk level highlights the importance of regular inspections and emergency preparedness to mitigate potential hazards. As a key player in the local water management system, Barrs Lake Dam exemplifies the intersection of engineering, environmental stewardship, and community safety in ensuring sustainable water resource practices for future generations.
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 Barrs Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Alcovy River Below Covington | 34 cfs | → |
| Alcovy River Above Covington | 31 cfs | → |
| Big Haynes Creek At Bald Rock Road | 15 cfs | → |
| Yellow River At Gees Mill Road | 104 cfs | → |
| Little Haynes Creek At Dial Mill Rd Nr Milstead Ga | 9 cfs | → |
| Big Haynes Creek At Jack Turner Dam | 21 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Barrs Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Ellis Road Jasper County
- Ccc Camp Loop Morgan County
- Wise Creek Tail Jasper County
- Lakeshore Drive Henry County
Campgrounds
- Newton Factory Shoals Rec Area
- Hard Labor Creek State Park
- Camp Rutledge
- Rush Creek Campground
- Indian Springs State Park
- Gladesville Campground
Fishing spots
- Jackson Lake
- Black Shoals Lake
- Parkers Lake
- Davidson Mountain Nature Preserve
- Indian Springs State Park Lake
- Rock Eagle Lake
Track Barrs 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 Barrs Lake Dam
Where does the data for Barrs 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 Undetermined 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 Barrs Lake Dam.