Harris Lake Dam dam
Harris Lake Dam
Harris Lake Dam, located in Cooper Heights, Georgia, is a privately owned structure built in 1966 with a primary purpose classified as "Other." The dam, standing at a height of 16.6 feet and with a hydraulic height of 13.1 feet, serves as a key component in managing the flow of Back Creek. With a storage capacity of 111 acre-feet and a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
Although not regulated by the state, Harris Lake Dam undergoes regular inspections, with the last inspection date recorded in February 2018. Classified as having a low hazard potential and a condition assessment of "Not Rated," the dam continues to operate effectively in its role. Despite its uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, the structure presents a moderate risk level, emphasizing the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its reliability and safety for the surrounding community.
With no associated structures and a surface area of 12 acres, Harris Lake Dam stands as a testament to engineering excellence and serves as a vital infrastructure piece in the water resource system of Walker County, Georgia. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the proper management and maintenance of dams like Harris Lake Dam will be crucial in ensuring water security and mitigating the effects of extreme weather events on the local ecosystem.
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 Harris Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lookout Creek Near New England | 75 cfs | → |
| South Chickamauga Creek Near Chickamauga | 168 cfs | → |
| Chattooga River At Summerville | 119 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek At Dalton | 27 cfs | → |
| Conasauga River At Tilton | 247 cfs | → |
| Sequatchie River Near Whitwell | 168 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Harris Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- U.S. 41 18039, Chattanooga
- Cummings Highway Chattanooga
- Macedonia Road Marion County
- Mapleview Road, South Pittsburg
- Hales Bar Road 950, Guild
- Raccoon Mountain Road 2510, Chattanooga
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Desoto Falls In Desoto State Park To Confluence With Little River
- River Miles 8 Near Ga Sate Line To Confluence With Little River
- Confluence With East And West Branches To Al 37 Bridge
- Al 35 Bridge To Ends One Mile Upstream From Al 273 Bridge
- Begins One Mile Upstream From Al 273 Bridge To Lake Weiss
- Taylors Creek (Rm 74.5) To Nf Boundary (Rm 70.0)
Track Harris Lake Dam 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 Harris Lake Dam
Where does the data for Harris 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 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 Harris Lake Dam.