Durham's Lake Dam dam
Durham's Lake Dam
Durham's Lake Dam, located in Fairburn, Georgia, was completed in 1960 and serves as a recreational spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts. The dam stands at a height of 19.1 feet and has a hydraulic height of 13.3 feet, with a structural height matching that figure. Its primary purpose is recreation, offering a surface area of 12 acres and a normal storage capacity of 70 acre-feet. The dam's low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment (rating 3) make it a safe and enjoyable destination for outdoor activities.
Owned privately, Durham's Lake Dam is an earth dam with a buttress core type and an uncontrolled spillway. It has a length of 590 feet and a drainage area of 227 square miles, providing a tranquil setting for visitors to enjoy water-based activities. While the dam is not state regulated or permitted, its condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Rated," indicating a need for further evaluation to ensure its ongoing safety and functionality. Despite this, the dam continues to be a popular spot for locals and tourists seeking a peaceful retreat by the water.
The Mobile District of the US Army Corps of Engineers oversees Durham's Lake Dam, with its risk management measures and emergency action plans still in development. With David Scott (D) as the representative for the area, efforts are being made to maintain the dam's integrity and safety for all who visit. As a key feature in Fulton County, Georgia, Durham's Lake Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management and the enjoyment of natural environments in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Durham's Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chattahoochee River Near Fairburn | 1,290 cfs | → |
| Sweetwater Creek Below Austell | 105 cfs | → |
| Utoy Creek At Great Southwest Pkwy Nr Atlanta | 10 cfs | → |
| Sweetwater Creek Near Austell | 86 cfs | → |
| Flint River Near Lovejoy | 42 cfs | → |
| South River At Forest Park Road | 15 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Durham's Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Hooch Boat Ramp
- Peachtree Parkway 488, Shake Rag
- 1124 Peachtree City
- Pine Crest Drive 127, Peachtree City
- Us 27 Alternate;16 Whitesburg
- Burch Lake Road Fayette County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Jester Creek
- George H Sparks Reservoir
- Padgett Lake
- Lake Starling
- Butternut Creek
- Clayton County International Park
Track Durham's 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 Durham's Lake Dam
Where does the data for Durham's 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 Durham's Lake Dam.