Mcdonald Lake Dam dam
Mcdonald Lake Dam
Mcdonald Lake Dam in Randolph, Georgia, is a private dam primarily used for recreation. The dam, made of earth with a buttress core, stands at a height of 25.3 feet and has a structural height of 26.2 feet, with a length of 480 feet. It has a storage capacity of 116.3 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 80.7 acre-feet and a surface area of 7.4 acres. The dam is classified as having a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment.
Located in the Mobile District, Mcdonald Lake Dam does not fall under federal regulation and is not inspected by a federal agency. However, it is subject to state jurisdiction and inspections. The last inspection of the dam was conducted in July 2009, with a scheduled inspection frequency of 5 years. The dam has uncontrolled spillways and outlet gates, with no associated locks. While the dam's condition assessment is not rated, the overall risk management measures are considered moderate.
Overall, Mcdonald Lake Dam serves as a recreational asset in Georgia, providing water storage for the surrounding area. Despite its private ownership and lack of federal regulation, the dam's moderate risk assessment highlights the importance of continued monitoring and maintenance to ensure its safety and functionality for both recreational and water resource purposes.
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 Mcdonald Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pachitla Creek Near Edison | 111 cfs | → |
| Ichawaynochaway Creek At Ga 37 | 177 cfs | → |
| Ichawaynochaway Creek At Milford | 424 cfs | → |
| Kinchafoonee Creek At Preston | 71 cfs | → |
| Hannahatchee Creek At Union | 38 cfs | → |
| Chickasawhatchee Creek At Elmodel | 155 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mcdonald Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Spruce Pine Trail Early County
- Cool Branch Road Quitman County
- Florence Street Georgetown
- Field Road Henry County
- Rood Creek Landing Road Stewart County
- Henry County 136 Henry County
Campgrounds
Track Mcdonald 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 Mcdonald Lake Dam
Where does the data for Mcdonald 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 Mcdonald Lake Dam.