Rock Creek Dam dam
Rock Creek Dam
Rock Creek Dam, located in Fannin, Georgia, is a concrete gravity dam completed in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The dam stands at a height of 28 feet and has a structural height of 24 feet, serving primarily as a fish and wildlife pond for the Forest Service. With a normal storage capacity of 103 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 3500 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in debris control, irrigation, and wildlife conservation in the area.
Despite its critical importance, Rock Creek Dam has been assessed with a high hazard potential and very high risk rating, indicating the need for regular inspections and potential risk management measures. The dam's emergency action plan status is currently not rated, highlighting the urgent need for preparedness in case of a potential failure. The dam's spillway type is controlled, with a spillway width of 5 feet, and it is equipped with vertical lift outlet gates for water release.
Given its key role in water management and conservation efforts, Rock Creek Dam serves as a vital resource for the surrounding community and ecosystem. With its historical significance and ongoing maintenance needs, this dam remains a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to understand the intersection of infrastructure, environmental protection, and risk management in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Rock Creek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Toccoa River Near Dial | 230 cfs | → |
| Chestatee River Near Dahlonega | 135 cfs | → |
| Nottely River Near Blairsville | 54 cfs | → |
| Cartecay River Near Ellijay | 129 cfs | → |
| Amicalola Creek Near Dawsonville | 72 cfs | → |
| Fausett Creek Near Talking Rock | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rock Creek 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 Rock Creek Dam
Where does the data for Rock Creek 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 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 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.