Bolga Lake Dam dam
Bolga Lake Dam
Located in Columbia, Georgia, the Bolga Lake Dam is a privately owned structure with a primary purpose of serving as a fire protection reservoir and small fish pond. Built in 1963 by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 27 feet and spans 365 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 89 acre-feet. Despite its uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, the dam is classified as low hazard potential with a moderate risk assessment rating.
With a normal storage capacity of 62 acre-feet and a surface area of 8 acres, the Bolga Lake Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region. Although not state regulated, the dam undergoes regular inspections with a frequency of 5 years, ensuring its structural integrity and safety. Despite its operational efficiency, the dam's condition remains unrated, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to mitigate any potential risks and safeguard the surrounding community and ecosystem.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Bolga Lake Dam serves as a notable feature in the local landscape, offering both practical utility for fire protection and recreational potential as a small fish pond. As a privately owned structure, it represents a collaborative effort between the owner and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, showcasing the importance of public-private partnerships in managing water resources effectively. With its moderate risk assessment and low hazard potential, the dam presents a valuable opportunity for continued monitoring and enhancement to ensure its long-term sustainability and resilience in the face of changing environmental 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 Bolga Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Butler Creek Below 7th Avenue | 7 cfs | → |
| Spirit Creek At Us 1 | 10 cfs | → |
| Augusta Canal Nr Augusta (Upper) | 2,280 cfs | → |
| Stevens Creek Near Modoc | 38 cfs | → |
| Savannah River At Augusta | 4,220 cfs | → |
| Brier Creek Near Waynesboro | 311 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bolga Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Mccormick County
- Columbia County
- Lake Springs Road Columbia County
- Ridge Road 5943, Columbia County
- Saint John's Road, Clarks Hill
- Fish Hatchery Road 4416-4610, Dearing
Campgrounds
- Lake Leitner Military
- Wildwood County Park
- Petersburg - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Ridge Road - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Mistletoe State Park
- Pointes West Military - Fort Gordon
Fishing spots
Track Bolga 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 Bolga Lake Dam
Where does the data for Bolga 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 Bolga Lake Dam.