Buford Dam - Saddle Dike 2 dam
Buford Dam - Saddle Dike 2
Buford Dam - Saddle Dike 2, located in Forsyth, Georgia, was completed in 1958 by the US Army Corps of Engineers as an earth dam on the Chattahoochee River. Standing at a height of 48 feet with a hydraulic height of 42 feet, this dam plays a crucial role in water storage and management, with a capacity of 2,554,000 acre-feet. The dam is associated with two other structures and is part of the US Army Corps of Engineers' efforts to address flood risks and maintain the structural integrity of the dam.
With a high hazard potential, Buford Dam - Saddle Dike 2 undergoes regular inspections and has an Emergency Action Plan in place. The US Army Corps of Engineers actively manages flood risks associated with the dam by monitoring its condition, prioritizing maintenance activities, and collaborating with local emergency managers to ensure preparedness in case of a dam-related emergency. The agency also engages with the public to raise awareness and support emergency response efforts, highlighting the importance of ongoing maintenance and risk management measures to ensure the safety and functionality of the dam.
As severe weather events can lead to increased water levels and potential dam releases, the US Army Corps of Engineers remains committed to addressing all types of flood risks associated with Buford Dam - Saddle Dike 2. By working closely with local stakeholders and continually updating emergency action plans, the agency aims to mitigate risks and maintain the dam's ability to manage water levels effectively. More detailed information specific to this dam will be provided in the future, highlighting the ongoing efforts to safeguard the surrounding area from potential flooding impacts.
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 2 -- 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 2.
Boat launches
- Kings Point Drive Forsyth County
- Van Pugh North Park
- Browns Bridge Road Forsyth County
- Lake Windward Landing 139, Alpharetta
- Saint Ives Country Club Parkway Johns Creek
- Chattahochee River Park Peachtree Corners
Campgrounds
- Sawnee
- Bald Ridge Creek
- Shoal Creek - Lake Lanier
- Shady Grove - Lake Lanier
- Charleston - Lake Lanier
- Chestnut Ridge - Lake Lanier
Fishing spots
Track Buford Dam - Saddle Dike 2 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 2
Where does the data for Buford Dam - Saddle Dike 2 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 2.