Buford Dam - Saddle Dike 1 dam
Buford Dam - Saddle Dike 1
Buford Dam - Saddle Dike 1, located in Forsyth, Georgia, is a federal-owned earth dam completed in 1958 as part of the Chattahoochee River system managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Standing at a height of 36 feet and with a hydraulic height of 30 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 2,554,000 acre-feet and serves the primary purpose of water resource management. With a high hazard potential, the dam is monitored and maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers to address flood risks and ensure structural integrity.
The dam is associated with two other structures and is part of the larger Buford Dam complex that regulates water flow along the Chattahoochee River. The US Army Corps of Engineers implements risk management measures to mitigate potential hazards, including regular inspections, emergency action plans, and coordination with local emergency managers for preparedness and response. While dams cannot eliminate all flood risks, the USACE works diligently to manage water levels, prevent dam failures, and ensure the safety of communities downstream.
As a vital component of the water infrastructure in Georgia, Buford Dam - Saddle Dike 1 plays a crucial role in flood control and water supply management. With ongoing monitoring and maintenance efforts, the dam continues to safeguard the surrounding areas from potential risks associated with severe weather events and fluctuating water levels. The US Army Corps of Engineers remains committed to protecting the dam and the communities it serves by implementing proactive risk management strategies and maintaining readiness for any potential emergencies.
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 Buford Dam - Saddle Dike 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chattahoochee River At Buford Dam | 660 cfs | → |
| Richland Creek At Suwanee Dam Road | 5 cfs | → |
| Level Creek At Suwanee Dam Road | 2 cfs | → |
| Dick Creek At Old Atlanta Rd | 4 cfs | → |
| Suwanee Creek At Suwanee | 18 cfs | → |
| Etowah River At Ga 9 | 101 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Buford Dam - Saddle Dike 1.
Boat launches
- Kings Point Drive Forsyth County
- Browns Bridge Road Forsyth County
- Van Pugh North Park
- Lake Windward Landing 139, Alpharetta
- Saint Ives Country Club Parkway Johns Creek
- Chattahochee River Park Peachtree Corners
Campgrounds
- Sawnee
- Bald Ridge Creek
- Shady Grove - Lake Lanier
- Shoal Creek - Lake Lanier
- Charleston - Lake Lanier
- Chestnut Ridge - Lake Lanier
Fishing spots
Track Buford Dam - Saddle Dike 1 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 Buford Dam - Saddle Dike 1
Where does the data for Buford Dam - Saddle Dike 1 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 Buford Dam - Saddle Dike 1.