Cartecay River Ws Str # 5 dam
Cartecay River Ws Str # 5
Located in Gilmer, Georgia, the Cartecay River WS Str # 5 is a state-owned dam primarily designed for flood risk reduction on Stover Creek. Built in 1967 by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this earth dam stands at a height of 70 feet and spans 518 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 1472 acre-feet. Despite its critical purpose, the dam is currently assessed as being in poor condition and has a high hazard potential, prompting a biennial inspection schedule to ensure public safety.
With a drainage area of 2860 acres, the Cartecay River WS Str # 5 plays a crucial role in managing water flow and protecting downstream communities from flooding. However, its uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates pose challenges in effectively controlling water discharge during heavy rainfall events. Despite the moderate risk assessment, the dam's deteriorating condition raises concerns about its long-term effectiveness in flood control. As the designated state regulatory agency, the Georgia SAFE DAMS PROGRAM oversees permitting, inspection, and enforcement to mitigate potential risks associated with the dam's operation.
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 Cartecay River Ws Str # 5 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Toccoa River Near Dial | 247 cfs | → |
| Cartecay River Near Ellijay | 144 cfs | → |
| Fausett Creek Near Talking Rock | 4 cfs | → |
| Coosawattee River Near Ellijay | 251 cfs | → |
| Amicalola Creek Near Dawsonville | 83 cfs | → |
| Talking Rock Creek Near Hinton | 61 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cartecay River Ws Str # 5.
Boat launches
- Mallard Point Road 109, Fannin County
- Gilmer County
- Morrison Moore Parkway East Dahlonega
- Jack's Creek Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Amicalola Mountain
- Amicalola Falls State Park
- Frank Gross Recreation Area
- Frank Gross
- Toccoa River Sandy Bottoms Recreation Area
- Hawk Mountain (Base) Campsite
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Source In Cohutta Wilderness To Nf Boundary North Of Murray's Lake
- Southern Boundary Cohutta Wilderness Near Peter Cove To Northern Boundary Cohutta Wilderness Near Alaculsy
- Old Turnpike Crossing To Martin Branch Bridge
- Mark Trail Wilderness Boundry To Old Turnpike Crossing Near Vandiver Branch
- Northern Boundary Cohutta Wilderness To Confluence With Conasauga River
- Martin Branch Bridge To Robertsontown Bridge On Ga Highway 356
Track Cartecay River Ws Str # 5 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 Cartecay River Ws Str # 5
Where does the data for Cartecay River Ws Str # 5 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 Cartecay River Ws Str # 5.