Lake Owlhead dam
Lake Owlhead
Lake Owlhead in Hazelhurst, Georgia, is a privately owned reservoir primarily used for recreation. Designed by R. Boyne Stone, this earth dam stands at 15 feet high and spans 1335 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 562.5 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 233 acre-feet, this picturesque lake covers a surface area of 50 acres.
While the dam's hazard potential is undetermined and its condition is not rated, it undergoes inspections every five years, with the last inspection conducted in September 2014. The spillway is uncontrolled, and the outlet gates operate in a similar manner. Although the risk assessment for Lake Owlhead deems it to have a moderate risk level, specific risk management measures and inundation maps are currently unavailable.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Lake Owlhead a charming retreat in Jeff Davis County, Georgia. This serene reservoir, nestled in the heart of nature, offers a haven for outdoor activities and relaxation. However, with its regulatory status undetermined and a moderate risk level assigned, there is a need for further assessment and management to ensure the continued safety and enjoyment of this beautiful water resource.
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 Lake Owlhead -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ocmulgee River At Lumber City | 2,670 cfs | → |
| Altamaha River Near Baxley | 4,410 cfs | → |
| Oconee River Near Mount Vernon | 1,070 cfs | → |
| Turnpike Creek Near Mcrae | · | → |
| Ohoopee River Near Reidsville | 47 cfs | → |
| Little Satilla River Near Offerman | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Owlhead.
Boat launches
- ⛉ Riverwood Trail 45, Uvalda
- Highway 135, Uvalda
- East Golden Isles Highway Telfair County
- Benton Powell Road 267-315, Uvalda
- Deen's Landing Road 688-700, Baxley
- Cherokee Road Wheeler County
Campgrounds
- Towns Bluff County Park
- Falling Rocks County Park
- Little Ocmulgee State Park
- Gordonia-Alatamaha State Park
- Ben Hill Landing County Park
- General Coffee State Park
Fishing spots
Track Lake Owlhead 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 Lake Owlhead
Where does the data for Lake Owlhead 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 Undetermined 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 Lake Owlhead.