Lake Talmadge Dam dam
Lake Talmadge Dam
Lake Talmadge Dam, located in Telfair, Georgia, serves primarily for irrigation purposes and was completed in 1954 by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. This privately owned earth dam stands at a height of 19 feet and has a hydraulic height of 15 feet. With a storage capacity of 112 acre-feet and a drainage area of 470 acres, the dam helps manage water flow in the region.
Although the dam is classified as having a low hazard potential, its condition is currently not rated. The last inspection took place in May 2017, with a scheduled inspection frequency of every 5 years. Despite the moderate risk assessment, the dam is not regulated by the state, and no enforcement measures are in place. The spillway type is uncontrolled, and the outlet gates are also uncontrolled, indicating the need for regular monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lake Talmadge Dam presents an intriguing case study in dam infrastructure management. As a privately owned structure with a history dating back to the mid-20th century, the dam's design and construction by the SCS highlight the importance of proper maintenance and inspection protocols. With its moderate risk assessment and unregulated status, the dam serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in balancing water resource management with environmental conservation and safety considerations.
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 Lake Talmadge Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Turnpike Creek Near Mcrae | · | → |
| Ocmulgee River At Lumber City | 1,900 cfs | → |
| Oconee River Near Mount Vernon | 847 cfs | → |
| Altamaha River Near Baxley | 3,060 cfs | → |
| Oconee River At Dublin | 618 cfs | → |
| Ohoopee River Near Reidsville | 41 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Talmadge Dam.
Boat launches
- East Golden Isles Highway Telfair County
- Cherokee Road Wheeler County
- Jacksonville Boat Landing Road Telfair County
- Highway 135, Uvalda
- ⛉ Riverwood Trail 45, Uvalda
- Dodge Lake Road, Eastman
Track Lake Talmadge 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 Lake Talmadge Dam
Where does the data for Lake Talmadge 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 Lake Talmadge Dam.