Hancock Lake Dam dam
Hancock Lake Dam
Hancock Lake Dam, also known as New Lake Dam, is a private structure located in Upson, Georgia, along the McCoy's Branch river. With a primary purpose of recreation, this dam stands at 20 feet high and spans a length of 660 feet. It has a storage capacity of 115 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 10 acres, serving as a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts in the area.
Designed by the Soil Conservation Service (SCS), Hancock Lake Dam has been inspected for safety and deemed to have a low hazard potential. Despite not being state-regulated, the dam is regularly monitored and maintained, with its last inspection conducted in June 2018. The risk assessment for this structure is moderate, indicating a need for ongoing risk management measures to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and environment.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Hancock Lake Dam offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of human infrastructure and natural systems. As a recreational dam in a private ownership, its design and construction reflect the balance between providing leisure opportunities for residents while also safeguarding against potential hazards. With its earth core and stone foundations, this dam serves as a functional and aesthetically pleasing addition to the landscape, highlighting the importance of responsible dam management in mitigating risks and maintaining the integrity of water resources.
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 Hancock Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Flint River Near Culloden | 628 cfs | → |
| Flint River Near Griffin | 60 cfs | → |
| Shoal Creek At Shoal Creek Rd | 9 cfs | → |
| Line Creek Near Senoia | 16 cfs | → |
| Flint River Near Lovejoy | 25 cfs | → |
| Yellowjacket Cr At Hammett Rd Blw Hogansville | 21 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hancock Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Talbot County
- East Bagwell Road Pike County
- Highway 128 5374-5376, Roberta
- West Mcintosh Road Spalding County
- Burch Lake Road Fayette County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Mccant's Mill Pond
- Griffin City Reservoir
- Callaway Gardens Lake
- High Falls Lake
- Padgett Lake
- Indian Springs State Park Lake
Track Hancock 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 Hancock Lake Dam
Where does the data for Hancock 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 Hancock Lake Dam.