Settingdown Creek Ws Str # 59 dam
Settingdown Creek Ws Str # 59
Settingdown Creek WS Str # 59 is a state-owned earth dam located in Forsyth, Georgia, specifically in the Coal Mountain Community. Built in 1954 by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this dam serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction with a storage capacity of 586 acre-feet and a normal storage of 67 acre-feet. The dam stands at a height of 26 feet and spans a length of 438 feet, with a surface area of 6 acres and a drainage area of 1.8 square miles.
Despite its critical role in flood risk reduction, Settingdown Creek WS Str # 59 is rated as having a high hazard potential and poor condition assessment. The last inspection of the dam took place in December 1992, with an inspection frequency of every two years. The dam is classified as having a moderate risk level (3) and falls under the jurisdiction of the Georgia Safe Dams Program, with state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to ensure compliance with safety standards. With its uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, Settingdown Creek WS Str # 59 remains a significant structure in the region's water resource and climate management efforts.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Settingdown Creek WS Str # 59 presents a fascinating case study of a vital infrastructure designed to mitigate flood risks in Georgia. With its historical significance and current condition assessment indicating the need for maintenance and potential risk management measures, this dam serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges and responsibilities associated with managing water resources and infrastructure in a changing climate. As efforts continue to ensure the safety and effectiveness of structures like Settingdown Creek WS Str # 59, the importance of proactive monitoring, maintenance, and risk assessment in safeguarding communities and ecosystems from the impacts of extreme weather events becomes increasingly evident.
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 Settingdown Creek Ws Str # 59 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Etowah River At Ga 9 | 95 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River At Buford Dam | 636 cfs | → |
| Richland Creek At Suwanee Dam Road | 6 cfs | → |
| Amicalola Creek Near Dawsonville | 83 cfs | → |
| Level Creek At Suwanee Dam Road | 3 cfs | → |
| Dick Creek At Old Atlanta Rd | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Settingdown Creek Ws Str # 59.
Boat launches
- Browns Bridge Road Forsyth County
- Kings Point Drive Forsyth County
- Van Pugh North Park
- Morrison Moore Parkway East Dahlonega
- Lake Windward Landing 139, Alpharetta
- Hall County
Campgrounds
- Charleston - Lake Lanier
- War Hill - Lake Lanier
- Shady Grove - Lake Lanier
- Bald Ridge Creek
- Bolding Mill - Lake Lanier
- Paradise Valley Resort & Club
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Martin Branch Bridge To Robertsontown Bridge On Ga Highway 356
- Old Turnpike Crossing To Martin Branch Bridge
- Mark Trail Wilderness Boundry To Old Turnpike Crossing Near Vandiver Branch
- Source Near Chattahoochee Gap To Mark Trail Wilderness Boundary
- 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)
- Source In Cohutta Wilderness To Nf Boundary North Of Murray's Lake
Track Settingdown Creek Ws Str # 59 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 Settingdown Creek Ws Str # 59
Where does the data for Settingdown Creek Ws Str # 59 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 Settingdown Creek Ws Str # 59.