Bear Creek Reservoir dam
Bear Creek Reservoir
Bear Creek Reservoir is a captivating water resource nestled in Jackson, Georgia, owned by the local government and regulated by the Georgia Safe Dams Program. This Earth-type dam stands at a height of 82 feet, providing a storage capacity of 22,605 acre-feet, with a maximum storage of 18,825 acre-feet. The dam's hazard potential is classified as high, but its condition assessment is deemed satisfactory as of the last inspection in February 2013.
Situated on the Bear Creek stream, this reservoir plays a vital role in water management and supply for the region, serving as a critical infrastructure for the community. With its uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, Bear Creek Reservoir ensures proper water discharge and flow control, contributing to flood prevention and overall environmental sustainability. Despite its high hazard potential, the risk assessment for this reservoir is moderate, indicating a manageable level of risk.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Bear Creek Reservoir presents a fascinating case study in dam infrastructure management and the intersection of natural resources with human development. With its history of construction and ongoing regulatory oversight, this reservoir serves as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climatic conditions and increasing water demands.
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 Bear Creek Reservoir -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Oconee River Near Arcade | 123 cfs | → |
| Middle Oconee River Near Athens | 138 cfs | → |
| North Oconee River At College St | 62 cfs | → |
| Apalachee River Near Bostwick | 56 cfs | → |
| Wheeler Creek At Bill Cheek Road | 2 cfs | → |
| Apalachee River At Fence Road | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bear Creek Reservoir.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Fort Yargo State Park
- James Shackleford County Park
- Oconee River Campground
- Oconee River
- Hard Labor Creek State Park
- Camp Rutledge
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Confluence Of Brasstown Creek And Little Brasstown Creek Just South Of Brasstown Falls Road (Fs 751) To Confluence Of Mill Branch, Brasstown Creek And Boatwright Creek Near Boatwright Road (Fs 753)
- Lloyd Shoals Dam On Lake Jackson To Georgia State Highway 16
- Nf Boundary To Glenwood Springs/Lake Sinclair
- Martin Branch Bridge To Robertsontown Bridge On Ga Highway 356
- Confluence Of Cedar Creek To 1/4 Mile Below The Nf Boundary And Fh 110, Cobbs Bridge Road
Track Bear Creek Reservoir 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 Bear Creek Reservoir
Where does the data for Bear Creek Reservoir 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 High 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 Bear Creek Reservoir.