West Lake Dam dam
West Lake Dam
West Lake Dam, located in Haralson, Georgia, is a concrete structure completed in 1945 primarily used for recreational purposes. Standing at a height of 20 feet with a hydraulic height of 19.7 feet, the dam overlooks Bush Creek and offers a serene surface area of 35 acres for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy. While it does not serve any state-regulated functions, the dam's low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment make it a safe and reliable destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts.
Owned privately and with no federal agency involvement, West Lake Dam boasts a storage capacity of 381 acre-feet, providing ample water storage for its recreational activities. Despite being uncontrolled, the spillway and outlet gates ensure proper water management and contribute to the dam's overall safety. With a last inspection date in 2016 and a condition assessment of "Not Rated," West Lake Dam continues to provide a picturesque setting for visitors while maintaining a solid structural integrity.
In the heart of Breman, Georgia, West Lake Dam stands as a testament to both engineering excellence and natural beauty. With a history dating back to the mid-20th century, this dam remains a popular spot for fishing, boating, and relaxation. Its peaceful surroundings and reliable infrastructure make it a must-visit destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking a tranquil escape in the midst of Georgia's countryside.
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 West Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tallapoosa River Below Tallapoosa | 648 cfs | → |
| Little Tallapoosa River (Us 27) At Carrollton | 46 cfs | → |
| Little Tallapoosa River Below Bowdon | 158 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek At Ga Ave At Cedartown | 5 cfs | → |
| Tallapoosa River Near Heflin | 349 cfs | → |
| Snake Creek Near Whitesburg | 10 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near West Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Hutcheson Ferry Road Carroll County
- Coleman Boat Ramp Road Cleburne County
- Chattahoochee Bend State Park Riverwalk Trail Coweta County
- Us 27 Alternate;16 Whitesburg
Campgrounds
- Tally Valley County Park
- Vfw County Park
- John Tanner State Park
- Trailcampground Silver Comet
- Beautiful Rock Campgound
- Big Oak Gap Hunter Camp
Fishing spots
Track West 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 West Lake Dam
Where does the data for West 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 West Lake Dam.