Big Smoak Lake dam
Big Smoak Lake
Big Smoak Lake, located in Richmond, Georgia, is a federally owned recreational lake created by the Big Smoak Lake Dam on Sandy Run Creek. Constructed in 1960 by the US Army, this earth dam stands at a height of 9 feet and has a length of 220 feet, providing a storage capacity of 59 acre-feet. With a surface area of 14 acres, the primary purpose of Big Smoak Lake is for recreation, offering visitors a serene and picturesque setting to enjoy various water activities.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Big Smoak Lake has a moderate risk assessment rating of 3. The dam is regularly inspected by the US Army every four years, with the last inspection conducted in March 2021. While the condition assessment is currently unavailable, the dam's risk management measures and emergency action plans are not specified in the data. It is worth noting that the lake does not have state jurisdiction, regulation, permitting, or inspection, as it falls under federal ownership and oversight.
Overall, Big Smoak Lake presents an opportunity for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore a man-made reservoir nestled in the heart of Georgia. With its tranquil surroundings and recreational offerings, this federally managed lake serves as a valuable asset for the local community and visitors alike.
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 Big Smoak Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Spirit Creek At Us 1 | 10 cfs | → |
| Butler Creek Below 7th Avenue | 8 cfs | → |
| Augusta Canal Nr Augusta (Upper) | 2,190 cfs | → |
| Savannah River At Augusta | 3,950 cfs | → |
| Stevens Creek Near Modoc | 23 cfs | → |
| Brier Creek Near Waynesboro | 117 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Smoak Lake .
Boat launches
- Fish Hatchery Road 4416-4610, Dearing
- Mccormick County
- Columbia County
- Lake Springs Road Columbia County
- Ridge Road 5943, Columbia County
- Saint John's Road, Clarks Hill
Campgrounds
- Lake Leitner Military
- Wildwood County Park
- Petersburg - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Mistletoe State Park
- Ridge Road - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Winfield - Strom Thurmond Lake
Fishing spots
Track Big Smoak Lake 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 Big Smoak Lake
Where does the data for Big Smoak Lake 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 Big Smoak Lake .