Bill Mathis Lake Dam dam
Bill Mathis Lake Dam
Bill Mathis Lake Dam in Georgia is a privately owned structure primarily used for recreation purposes. This Earth dam, with a height of 18 feet and a length of 321 feet, provides a storage capacity of 34 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 4 acres. Located in Jones County, this dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, making it a relatively safe structure in terms of potential consequences in case of failure.
Despite not being regulated by the state or having undergone recent inspections or condition assessments, Bill Mathis Lake Dam remains a popular spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. The dam's uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates suggest a simple design that prioritizes recreation over flood control or other engineered functions. With its moderate risk level and low hazard potential, this dam offers a peaceful and scenic setting for visitors to appreciate the intersection of water management and natural beauty in the heart of Georgia.
While lacking detailed information on its construction date or past modifications, Bill Mathis Lake Dam stands as a testament to the importance of water resources in supporting recreational activities and environmental conservation efforts. As a privately owned structure with minimal federal involvement, this dam represents a unique opportunity for individuals interested in exploring the intersection of water resource management, climate resilience, and outdoor recreation in a tranquil setting in Jones County, Georgia.
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 Bill Mathis Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ocmulgee River At Macon | 661 cfs | → |
| Oconee River At Milledgeville | 340 cfs | → |
| Oconee River At Avant Mine | 369 cfs | → |
| Falling Creek Near Juliette | 6 cfs | → |
| Murder Creek Below Eatonton | 37 cfs | → |
| Tobesofkee Creek Near Macon | 7 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bill Mathis Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Lakeshore Drive 3180, Macon
- Riverbend Trail Macon
- Popes Ferry Landing
- Lake Juliette Day Use Area And Boat Ramp
- Macon
Campgrounds
- Central City Park - State Fairgrounds
- Lake Sinclair Recreation Area
- Lake Sinclair
- Dames Ferry County Park
- Claystone County Park
- Arrowhead County Park
Fishing spots
- Miller Creek Lake Recreation Area
- Lake Sinclair
- Lake Tobesofkee
- Rock Eagle Lake
- Houston Lake
- Weaver Branch
Track Bill Mathis 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 Bill Mathis Lake Dam
Where does the data for Bill Mathis 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 Bill Mathis Lake Dam.