Bartletts Ferry dam
Bartletts Ferry
Bartletts Ferry, Labyrinth Spillway, also known as Lake Harding, is a captivating water resource nestled in Lee County, Alabama, near Columbus, Georgia. This hydroelectric marvel was completed in 1985 and stands as a concrete gravity dam with a multi-arch core type and a height of 11.25 feet. With a normal storage capacity of 183,000 acre-feet and a surface area of 5,850 acres, this structure plays a crucial role in harnessing the power of the Chattahoochee River for hydroelectric generation while also offering recreational opportunities for visitors.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Bartletts Ferry features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 1,230 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 530,000 cubic feet per second. The dam's hazard potential is classified as high, making it essential for regular inspections and emergency preparedness. Despite its age, the condition assessment of the dam is not available, but a risk assessment rates it as moderate (3), highlighting the importance of ongoing risk management measures to ensure the safety and stability of this vital water resource.
Located in the Mobile District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Bartletts Ferry serves as a testament to engineering excellence and environmental stewardship. Its picturesque setting and dual purpose of power generation and recreation make it a must-visit destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to witness the harmonious blend of nature and technology in action.
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 Bartletts Ferry -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chattahoochee River At Us 280 | 1,990 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River At West Point | 9,340 cfs | → |
| Chewacla Creek At Chewacla State Park Nr Auburn | 14 cfs | → |
| Upatoi Creek Near Columbus | 512 cfs | → |
| Uchee Creek Near Fort Mitchell | 256 cfs | → |
| Sougahatchee Creek At Co Rd 188 Nr Loachapoka | 90 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bartletts Ferry.
Boat launches
- Mcculloh Road 9001-9499, Valley
- West 7th Street 199, West Point
- Dam Road Troup County
- Westpoint Road West Point
- County Road 390 Chambers County
- Abbottsford Road Troup County
Campgrounds
Track Bartletts Ferry 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 Bartletts Ferry
Where does the data for Bartletts Ferry 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 High 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 Bartletts Ferry.