Buford Dam - Saddle Dike 3 dam
Buford Dam - Saddle Dike 3
Buford Dam - Saddle Dike 3, located in Buford, Georgia, is an earth dam with a height of 70 feet and a hydraulic height of 64 feet, completed in 1958 by the US Army Corps of Engineers. This structure is part of the Chattahoochee River system and has a storage capacity of 2.55 million acre-feet, serving as a vital component for water resource management in the region. With a high hazard potential, the dam undergoes regular inspections and risk management measures to ensure its structural integrity and the safety of surrounding communities.
The dam plays a crucial role in flood risk management, as it can release water to manage levels upstream or downstream and relieve pressure on the structure during severe weather events. The USACE continually monitors the dam's condition, prioritizes maintenance activities, and collaborates with local emergency managers to raise awareness and develop emergency response plans. Despite the inherent risks associated with dams, the USACE's proactive approach to risk management and public engagement helps mitigate potential hazards and ensure the dam's functionality in safeguarding water resources and communities.
Overall, Buford Dam - Saddle Dike 3 is a key infrastructure asset in the Chattahoochee River system, providing essential water storage and flood control capabilities. Through diligent monitoring, maintenance, and collaboration with local stakeholders, the US Army Corps of Engineers works to uphold the dam's integrity and protect the surrounding area from potential risks, highlighting the importance of effective water resource and climate management in sustaining resilient communities.
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 3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Richland Creek At Suwanee Dam Road | 5 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River At Buford Dam | 660 cfs | → |
| Level Creek At Suwanee Dam Road | 2 cfs | → |
| Dick Creek At Old Atlanta Rd | 4 cfs | → |
| Suwanee Creek At Suwanee | 18 cfs | → |
| Wheeler Creek At Bill Cheek Road | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Buford Dam - Saddle Dike 3.
Boat launches
- Kings Point Drive Forsyth County
- Van Pugh North Park
- Browns Bridge Road Forsyth County
- Saint Ives Country Club Parkway Johns Creek
- Lake Windward Landing 139, Alpharetta
- Chattahochee River Park Peachtree Corners
Campgrounds
- Sawnee
- Shoal Creek - Lake Lanier
- Shady Grove - Lake Lanier
- Bald Ridge Creek
- Chestnut Ridge - Lake Lanier
- Charleston - Lake Lanier
Fishing spots
Track Buford Dam - Saddle Dike 3 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 3
Where does the data for Buford Dam - Saddle Dike 3 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 3.