Lower Riley Lake Dam dam
Lower Riley Lake Dam
Lower Riley Lake Dam, also known as O'Boyle Lake Dam #4, is a state-owned structure located in Maxwell, Georgia. Built in 1968, this earth dam stands at a height of 40 feet and has a hydraulic height of 29 feet. The primary purpose of the dam is for recreation, providing a storage capacity of 267 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 205 acre-feet.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Lower Riley Lake Dam serves as a vital resource for water recreation enthusiasts in the Jasper County area. Although not state-regulated, the dam undergoes regular inspections, with the last one conducted in November 2018. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, ensuring the safety of the surrounding environment and communities in the event of flooding or emergencies.
Located in a picturesque setting with a surface area of 17 acres and a drainage area of 145 acres, Lower Riley Lake Dam is a significant landmark in Georgia's water resource management. As a state-owned structure, it provides both recreational opportunities and essential water storage capacity, contributing to the overall environmental balance and resilience of 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 Lower Riley Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Alcovy River Below Covington | 36 cfs | → |
| Ocmulgee River Near Jackson | 433 cfs | → |
| Alcovy River Above Covington | 33 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Eatonton | 38 cfs | → |
| Big Haynes Creek At Bald Rock Road | 18 cfs | → |
| Murder Creek Below Eatonton | 40 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lower Riley 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
- Lakeshore Drive Henry County
Campgrounds
- Newton Factory Shoals Rec Area
- Rush Creek Campground
- Hard Labor Creek State Park
- Camp Rutledge
- Gladesville Campground
- Indian Springs State Park
Fishing spots
Track Lower Riley 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 Lower Riley Lake Dam
Where does the data for Lower Riley 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 Lower Riley Lake Dam.