Tara Lake Dam

Tara Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Appling County, Georgia, built in 1955. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Tara Lake Dam

The primary purpose of Tara Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Appling County Board Of Commissioners (local government). It impounds the Unknown near Tenmile Church Environs.

The dam stands 26 feet tall and stretches 942 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 46 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,063 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 917 square miles. Completed in 1955, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.

This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 08/17/2020.

Living Downstream

If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Georgia dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.

Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.

High HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateGeorgia
CountyAppling
Nearest CityTenmile Church Environs
River/StreamUnknown
Coordinates31.81025, -82.31301

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height26 ft
Dam Height26 ft
Dam Length942 ft
Year Completed1955 (71 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage1,063 acre-ft
Max Storage1,063 acre-ft
Normal Storage461 acre-ft
Surface Area46 acres
Drainage Area917 sq mi
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerAppling County Board of Commissioners
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection08/17/2020
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDGA01217
Federal IDGA01217
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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