Garrard Irrigation Lake Dam dam
Garrard Irrigation Lake Dam
Garrard Irrigation Lake Dam, located in Wilkes, Georgia, is a privately-owned structure designed by the Soil Conservation Service (SCS). This earth dam, with a height of 27 feet and a maximum storage capacity of 38 acre-feet, serves the primary purpose of irrigation. Situated on Upton Creek, the dam has a low hazard potential and is not currently rated for its condition.
Despite being state-jurisdictional, Garrard Irrigation Lake Dam is not regulated or permitted by the state of Georgia. The last inspection of the dam occurred in September 2016, with an inspection frequency of every 5 years. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled, and it features uncontrolled outlet gates as well. With a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, there are currently no Emergency Action Plans (EAP) in place for the dam.
Overall, Garrard Irrigation Lake Dam presents an interesting case study for water resource and climate enthusiasts. With its unique design features and lack of state regulation, this structure provides insight into the complexities of managing water resources in a private capacity. Further research and monitoring of the dam's condition and risk assessment may offer valuable lessons for future dam management practices and policies.
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 Garrard Irrigation Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little River Near Washington | 18 cfs | → |
| Kettle Creek Near Washington | 3 cfs | → |
| Broad River Near Bell | 689 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Mt. Carmel | 68 cfs | → |
| Stevens Creek Near Modoc | 43 cfs | → |
| South Fork Broad River At Carlton | 87 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Garrard Irrigation Lake Dam.
⚓ Boat launches
- Mcduffie County
- Thomson Highway Lincolnton
- Soap Creek Boat Ramp
- Savannah Scenic Way South Lincoln County
- Gills Point Road Lincoln County
- Ga 220 Lincoln County
⛺ Campgrounds
- Big Hart - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Raysville - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Clay Hill - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Winfield - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Hesters Ferry - Strom Thurmond Lake
- Leroys Ferry - Strom Thurmond Lake
🎣 Fishing spots
- Cliatt Creek
- Ah Stephens State Park
- Cherokee Creek
- J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir
- Richard B Russell Lake
- Parsons Mountain Lake
Track Garrard Irrigation 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 Garrard Irrigation Lake Dam
Where does the data for Garrard Irrigation 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 Garrard Irrigation Lake Dam.