Howard Lake Dam dam
Howard Lake Dam
Howard Lake Dam, located in McDuffie, Georgia, is a private Earth dam constructed in 1957 by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The dam spans 300 feet in length and reaches a height of 31 feet, with a storage capacity of 85 acre-feet. Situated on Kiokee Creek, the primary purpose of the dam is for recreation, offering a serene surface area of 7 acres for visitors to enjoy.
Despite its age, Howard Lake Dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating of 3. The dam is not currently rated for its condition, but inspections are conducted every five years to ensure its safety and stability. With uncontrolled spillways and outlets, the dam poses minimal risk to the surrounding area, making it a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts looking to explore Georgia's natural beauty.
Managed by a private owner, Howard Lake Dam stands as a testament to responsible water resource management in the state. As climate change continues to impact water levels and availability, structures like Howard Lake Dam play a crucial role in providing recreational opportunities while safeguarding against potential risks. Whether for leisure or educational purposes, Howard Lake Dam offers a unique glimpse into the intersection of water resources, climate considerations, and community engagement.
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 Howard Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Spirit Creek At Us 1 | 11 cfs | → |
| Butler Creek Below 7th Avenue | 8 cfs | → |
| Augusta Canal Nr Augusta (Upper) | 2,440 cfs | → |
| Stevens Creek Near Modoc | 43 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Washington | 18 cfs | → |
| Savannah River At Augusta | 4,290 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Howard Lake Dam.
⚓ Boat launches
- Fish Hatchery Road 4416-4610, Dearing
- Mcduffie County
- Thomson Highway Lincolnton
- Ridge Road 5943, Columbia County
- Lake Springs Road Columbia County
- Columbia County
⛺ Campgrounds
- Lake Leitner Military
- Mistletoe State Park
- Raysville - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Big Hart - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Winfield - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Wildwood County Park
🎣 Fishing spots
More fishing →Track Howard 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 Howard Lake Dam
Where does the data for Howard 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 Howard Lake Dam.