Garrard Dam dam
Garrard Dam
Garrard Dam, located in the Sandtown Community of Wilkes, Georgia, is a private earth dam primarily used for recreation. Completed in 1959 by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the dam stands at 24 feet high and has a length of 234 feet, with a storage capacity of 80 acre-feet. The dam is situated on Tr-Wynn Creek and is regulated by the USDA NRCS.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Garrard Dam is considered to be a safe structure. Despite the lack of available information on its condition assessment, the dam remains a popular destination for recreational activities in the area. The uncontrolled spillway, with a width of 56 feet, allows for the controlled release of water in case of excess storage.
Although the dam does not have an Emergency Action Plan in place, its risk management measures are deemed sufficient to ensure the safety of the surrounding community. With its beautiful location and recreational opportunities, Garrard Dam continues to be a valuable asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts in 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 Garrard Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little River Near Washington | 18 cfs | → |
| Kettle Creek Near Washington | 3 cfs | → |
| Broad River Near Bell | 689 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Mt. Carmel | 68 cfs | → |
| South Fork Broad River At Carlton | 87 cfs | → |
| Broad River Above Carlton | 488 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Garrard Dam.
⚓ Boat launches
- Gills Point Road Lincoln County
- Mcduffie County
- Thomson Highway Lincolnton
- Savannah Scenic Way South Lincoln County
- State Road S-33-366, Mccormick
- Soap Creek Boat Ramp
⛺ Campgrounds
- Big Hart - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Hesters Ferry - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Broad River - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Raysville - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Clay Hill - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Leroys Ferry - Strom Thurmond Lake
🎣 Fishing spots
- Ah Stephens State Park
- Cliatt Creek
- Cherokee Creek
- Richard B Russell Lake
- J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir
- Parsons Mountain Lake
Track Garrard 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 Garrard Dam
Where does the data for Garrard 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 Garrard Dam.