Georgia Diagnostic Center Lake Dam dam
Georgia Diagnostic Center Lake Dam
The Georgia Diagnostic Center Lake Dam, located in Butts County, Georgia, was completed in 1978 for recreational purposes. The dam, primarily constructed of earth with a buttress core design, stands at a height of 19 feet and has a length of 755 feet. With a normal storage capacity of 116 acre-feet and a maximum storage capacity of 209 acre-feet, the dam serves as a popular spot for outdoor activities in the area.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment, the dam has not been state-regulated or permitted. The last inspection of the dam was conducted in 2016, with an inspection frequency of every 5 years. The dam does not have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) prepared or updated, and its condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Rated." With its uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, the Georgia Diagnostic Center Lake Dam remains a key feature in the local landscape for both recreational enjoyment and potential risk management considerations.
While the dam presents an integral water resource for the community, its lack of state regulation and enforcement raises questions about its long-term maintenance and safety protocols. As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, ensuring the proper management and upkeep of dams like the Georgia Diagnostic Center Lake Dam becomes increasingly crucial. With its scenic surroundings and recreational opportunities, the dam serves as a reminder of the importance of balancing human enjoyment with environmental stewardship in the face of a changing climate.
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 Georgia Diagnostic Center Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ocmulgee River Near Jackson | 433 cfs | → |
| Shoal Creek At Shoal Creek Rd | 8 cfs | → |
| Falling Creek Near Juliette | 9 cfs | → |
| Flint River Near Griffin | 67 cfs | → |
| Pates Creek At Buster Lewis Rd Near Flippen | 12 cfs | → |
| Flint River Near Lovejoy | 43 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Georgia Diagnostic Center Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Wise Creek Tail Jasper County
- Round Oak-Juliette Road Monroe County
- West Mcintosh Road Spalding County
- Lake Juliette Day Use Area And Boat Ramp
- Burch Lake Road Fayette County
- Ellis Road Jasper County
Campgrounds
- High Falls State Park
- Indian Springs State Park
- Gladesville Campground
- Rush Creek Campground
- Newton Factory Shoals Rec Area
- Dames Ferry County Park
Fishing spots
- High Falls Lake
- Indian Springs State Park Lake
- Jackson Lake
- Griffin City Reservoir
- Clayton County International Park
- Padgett Lake
Track Georgia Diagnostic Center 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 Georgia Diagnostic Center Lake Dam
Where does the data for Georgia Diagnostic Center 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 Georgia Diagnostic Center Lake Dam.