Moss Lake Dam Dam
Moss Lake Dam
Moss Lake Dam, located in Clarke, Georgia, is a privately owned earth dam primarily used for recreation purposes. With a height of 23 feet and a length of 327 feet, the dam boasts a storage capacity of 55 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 4 acres. Although it is categorized as having a low hazard potential, it is rated as having a moderate risk level.
Despite not being state-regulated or inspected, Moss Lake Dam remains a popular spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts due to its picturesque location and recreational activities. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, making it ideal for fishing, boating, and other water-based activities. Its proximity to a drainage area of 91 square miles adds to its allure as a destination for outdoor enthusiasts seeking to explore Georgia's natural beauty.
While Moss Lake Dam may not have a detailed risk management plan or emergency action preparedness in place, its moderate risk level and recreational offerings make it a popular spot for locals and visitors alike. As climate change continues to impact water resources, maintaining and monitoring dams like Moss Lake will be crucial in ensuring their long-term safety and sustainability for future generations of water resource and climate enthusiasts.
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 Moss Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Oconee River Near Athens | 150 cfs | → |
| North Oconee River At College St | 89 cfs | → |
| Middle Oconee River Near Arcade | 251 cfs | → |
| Apalachee River Near Bostwick | 96 cfs | → |
| Oconee River Near Penfield | 473 cfs | → |
| South Fork Broad River At Carlton | 87 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Moss Lake Dam.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Moss Lake Dam
Where does the data for Moss 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 below 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.
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.