Engelhard Kaolin Tailings Pond Dam dam
Engelhard Kaolin Tailings Pond Dam
The Engelhard Kaolin Tailings Pond Dam, also known as the Freeport Kaolin Tailing Pond Dam, is a private earth dam located in Wilkinson, Georgia. Built in 1968 by Dames and Moore, this dam stands at a height of 44 feet and has a hydraulic height of 13 feet. The primary purpose of this structure is to contain tailings, with a storage capacity of 760 acre-feet and a surface area of 96 acres.
While the dam is classified as having a low hazard potential, it is important to note that it is uncontrolled, with uncontrolled spillways and outlets. Despite not being state-regulated, the dam undergoes regular inspections, with the last inspection reported in January 2018. The risk assessment for this dam is moderate, indicating a potential need for ongoing monitoring and risk management measures.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Engelhard Kaolin Tailings Pond Dam presents an intriguing case study in dam management and risk assessment. With its unique design features and historical significance, this dam serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining and monitoring critical infrastructure to ensure the safety of surrounding communities and the environment.
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 Engelhard Kaolin Tailings Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Oconee River At Avant Mine | 341 cfs | → |
| Oconee River At Milledgeville | 294 cfs | → |
| Ocmulgee River At Macon | 671 cfs | → |
| Buffalo Creek At Ga 272 | 20 cfs | → |
| Oconee River Near Oconee | 518 cfs | → |
| Tobesofkee Creek Near Macon | 6 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Engelhard Kaolin Tailings Pond Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Central City Park - State Fairgrounds
- Lake Sinclair Recreation Area
- Lake Sinclair
- Warner Robins Afb Military
- Dames Ferry County Park
- Claystone County Park
Fishing spots
- Miller Creek Lake Recreation Area
- Lake Sinclair
- Lake Tobesofkee
- Houston Lake
- Rock Eagle Lake
- Weaver Branch
Track Engelhard Kaolin Tailings Pond 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 Engelhard Kaolin Tailings Pond Dam
Where does the data for Engelhard Kaolin Tailings Pond 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 Engelhard Kaolin Tailings Pond Dam.