White Lake Dam dam
White Lake Dam
White Lake Dam in Putnam, Georgia, is a privately owned earth dam with a height of 35 feet and a length of 525 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 125 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 85 acre-feet. It has a surface area of 7.8 acres and is classified as having an undetermined hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating.
Despite being a private dam, White Lake Dam is subject to state jurisdiction and inspections, with the last inspection conducted in September 2008. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates. While the condition assessment is listed as "not rated," the dam's risk assessment falls within the moderate range. The dam is located within the Savannah District of the US Army Corps of Engineers and does not have any associated structures.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, White Lake Dam is a fascinating example of a privately owned dam in Georgia that plays a crucial role in water storage and management. With its earth construction and uncontrolled spillway, the dam represents a blend of traditional design and modern considerations for risk assessment and emergency preparedness. Its location in Putnam County underscores the importance of monitoring and maintaining such infrastructure to ensure the safety and sustainability of water resources in the region.
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 White Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little River Near Eatonton | 38 cfs | → |
| Murder Creek Below Eatonton | 40 cfs | → |
| Oconee River At Milledgeville | 300 cfs | → |
| Falling Creek Near Juliette | 13 cfs | → |
| Oconee River At Avant Mine | 401 cfs | → |
| Oconee River Near Penfield | 279 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near White Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Ellis Road Jasper County
- Wise Creek Tail Jasper County
- Ccc Camp Loop Morgan County
- Round Oak-Juliette Road Monroe County
- Lake Juliette Day Use Area And Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Oconee Springs County Park
- Lake Sinclair
- Lake Sinclair Recreation Area
- Old Salem
- Lawrence Shoals
- Parks Ferry
Fishing spots
Track White 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 White Lake Dam
Where does the data for White 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 White Lake Dam.