Balkcom Lake Dam dam
Balkcom Lake Dam
Balkcom Lake Dam, located in Blakely, Georgia, is a private recreational dam completed in 1949 with a primary purpose of providing recreational opportunities. The dam, of earth type with a buttress core, stands at a height of 11.2 feet and has a length of 960 feet. It has a storage capacity of 425 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 126 acre-feet and a surface area of 42 acres.
Although the dam has a low hazard potential and is currently not rated in terms of condition assessment, it undergoes inspections every five years, with the last inspection conducted in June 2011. The risk assessment for Balkcom Lake Dam indicates a moderate risk level. While the dam is not state-regulated, it falls under the jurisdiction of the state and is subject to state inspections. Additionally, the dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Balkcom Lake Dam presents an intriguing case study of a privately-owned recreational dam in Georgia. Its design and construction details, storage capacity, and risk assessment provide valuable insights into the management and safety considerations of such structures in relation to water resources and climate conditions. The dam's location in Early County, Georgia, amidst a drainage area of 980 square miles, adds to its significance in the regional water resource landscape.
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 Balkcom Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pachitla Creek Near Edison | 60 cfs | → |
| Ichawaynochaway Creek At Ga 37 | 113 cfs | → |
| Ichawaynochaway Creek At Milford | 252 cfs | → |
| Chickasawhatchee Creek At Elmodel | 142 cfs | → |
| Ichawaynochaway Creek Near Elmodel | 431 cfs | → |
| Sawhatchee Creek At Cedar Springs | 32 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Balkcom Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Spruce Pine Trail Early County
- Field Road Henry County
- Henry County 136 Henry County
- Old River Road Early County
- Jowers Road Houston County
Campgrounds
Track Balkcom 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 Balkcom Lake Dam
Where does the data for Balkcom 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 Balkcom Lake Dam.