Morgan Falls dam
Morgan Falls
Morgan Falls is a gravity dam located in Cobb, Georgia, along the Chattahoochee River. Built in 1903 by the S. Morgan Smith Co. of Pennsylvania, this hydroelectric structure stands at 65 feet tall and serves multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation, recreation, and water supply. With a storage capacity of 3,150 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 161,700 cubic feet per second, Morgan Falls plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Morgan Falls has a controlled spillway and a total length of 895.83 feet. The dam's hazard potential is rated as high, with a very high risk assessment score of 1. Despite its age, the condition assessment of Morgan Falls is not available, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its structural integrity and functionality. The dam's emergency action plan was last revised in December 2020, emphasizing the importance of preparedness in the face of potential risks and emergencies.
In addition to its engineering marvel, Morgan Falls offers a picturesque setting for outdoor enthusiasts and serves as a popular recreational spot in Sandy Springs. With its rich history, critical role in water management, and scenic appeal, Morgan Falls stands as a testament to the intersection of human ingenuity and environmental stewardship in the realm of water resource management and climate resilience.
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 Morgan Falls -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chattahoochee River Below Morgan Falls Dam | 1,010 cfs | → |
| Sope Creek Near Marietta | 10 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River Above Roswell | 615 cfs | → |
| Crooked Creek Near Norcross | 2 cfs | → |
| Nancy Creek At Rickenbacker Drive | 7 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River At Atlanta | 922 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Morgan Falls .
Boat launches
- Johnson Ferry Road Southeast Sandy Springs
- Riveredge Lane Northwest Sandy Springs
- West Palisades Vinings
- Cobb Parkway South Vinings
- Chattahochee River Park Peachtree Corners
- Lake Windward Landing 139, Alpharetta
Campgrounds
- Dobbins Lakeside Military
- Payne - Allatoona Lake
- Stone Mountain Park Campground
- Victoria - Allatoona Lake
- Stone Mountain Campground
- Sweetwater - Allatoona Lake
Fishing spots
Track Morgan Falls 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 Morgan Falls
Where does the data for Morgan Falls 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 Morgan Falls .