Johnson Dam dam
Johnson Dam
Johnson Dam, also known as Nelson Lake Dam, is a private earth dam located in the Plainview Community of Warren, Georgia. Built in 1952 by the USDA NRCS, this dam serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, and a small fish pond. With a height of 22.1 feet and a storage capacity of 80.9 acre-feet, Johnson Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area, particularly for the TR-Brier Creek.
Despite being unregulated by the state and having a low hazard potential, Johnson Dam poses a moderate risk due to its condition assessment being not rated. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, and it lacks outlet gates, indicating potential vulnerabilities in its operation. Water resource enthusiasts and climate advocates should monitor Johnson Dam closely to ensure its maintenance and safety standards are up to date, especially in the face of increasing climate variability and extreme weather events that could impact its structural integrity.
In the event of an emergency, it is important for the community and relevant authorities to have updated emergency action plans and contact information, as well as preparedness measures in place. With its significant role in water management and potential risks involved, Johnson Dam serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive monitoring and maintenance of critical infrastructure in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Johnson Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little River Near Washington | 11 cfs | → |
| Kettle Creek Near Washington | 2 cfs | → |
| Williamson Swamp Creek At Davisboro | 31 cfs | → |
| Spirit Creek At Us 1 | 10 cfs | → |
| Butler Creek Below 7th Avenue | 8 cfs | → |
| Stevens Creek Near Modoc | 23 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Johnson Dam.
Boat launches
- Fish Hatchery Road 4416-4610, Dearing
- Mcduffie County
- Thomson Highway Lincolnton
- Double Branches Boat Ramp
- Ridge Road 5943, Columbia County
Campgrounds
- Hamburg State Park
- A.H. Stephens State Park
- Rv/Tent Camping
- Pioneer Camping Area
- Equestrian Camping
- Big Hart - Strom Thurmond Lake
Fishing spots
Track Johnson 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 Johnson Dam
Where does the data for Johnson 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 Johnson Dam.