Williams Lake dam
Williams Lake
Williams Lake, also known as Gaddis Lake, is a privately owned recreational water resource located in Hinds, Mississippi. Constructed in 1920 by the USDA NRCS, this Earth dam stands at 15 feet tall and spans 700 feet in length. The lake has a storage capacity of 150 acre-feet and is primarily used for recreation purposes.
The dam at Williams Lake poses a significant hazard potential with a moderate risk assessment rating of 3. While the condition of the dam is not rated, it is important to note that it is uncontrolled in terms of spillway type and outlet gates. Despite the lack of state regulation and inspection, the Vicksburg District of the USACE has not been involved in the management or funding of this structure.
Water and climate enthusiasts visiting Williams Lake can enjoy the natural beauty of the surroundings and engage in recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. However, caution should be exercised due to the significant hazard potential of the dam and the lack of regular maintenance and oversight. The lake's proximity to TR-PORTER CREEK and the city of EDWARDS adds to its appeal for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a peaceful escape in the heart of Mississippi.
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 Williams Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Black River Nr Bovina | 1,210 cfs | → |
| Big Black River Nr Bentonia | 2,230 cfs | → |
| Lynch Creek At Jackson | 207 cfs | → |
| Pearl River At Jackson | 2,660 cfs | → |
| Hanging Moss Creek Nr Jackson | 223 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Vicksburg | 546,000 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Williams Lake.
Boat launches
- Hinds County
- Madison Landing Circle 101, Ridgeland
- West River Road Jackson
- East River Road Rankin County
- Spillway Road Rankin County
- Fannin Landing Circle Rankin County
Track Williams 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 Williams Lake
Where does the data for Williams 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 Significant 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 Williams Lake.