Scotts Lake Dam dam
Scotts Lake Dam
Scotts Lake Dam, located in Henry County, Georgia, was completed in 1963 and is primarily used for recreation purposes. The dam, designed by the SCS, stands at 25 feet high with a hydraulic height of 18 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 180 acre-feet. The dam's earth structure with buttress core type spans a length of 580 feet and covers a surface area of 15 acres, serving as a popular spot for outdoor activities in the area.
Despite being privately owned, Scotts Lake Dam falls under state jurisdiction and is subject to regular inspections to ensure its safety and integrity. The dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, indicating a need for ongoing risk management measures. While not currently regulated by the state, the dam's emergency action plan status and adherence to guidelines remain unclear, highlighting potential areas for improvement in emergency preparedness.
With its picturesque setting and recreational opportunities, Scotts Lake Dam is a valuable resource for water and climate enthusiasts in the region. As a key feature in the local landscape, the dam's maintenance and safety are vital considerations for both the surrounding community and the environment. Ongoing monitoring and risk assessment will be crucial in ensuring the long-term sustainability and enjoyment of this important water resource.
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 Scotts Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South River At Klondike Road | 164 cfs | → |
| Honey Creek At Ga 212 | 12 cfs | → |
| Pates Creek At Buster Lewis Rd Near Flippen | 30 cfs | → |
| South River At Flakes Mill Road Nr Atlanta | 64 cfs | → |
| Yellow River At Pleasant Hill Rd | 171 cfs | → |
| Intrenchment Creek Near Atlanta | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Scotts Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Lakeshore Drive Henry County
- Burch Lake Road Fayette County
- West Mcintosh Road Spalding County
- Peachtree Parkway 488, Shake Rag
- Ellis Road Jasper County
- Cobb Parkway South Vinings
Campgrounds
- Stone Mountain Campground
- Stone Mountain Park Campground
- Newton Factory Shoals Rec Area
- Indian Springs State Park
- High Falls State Park
- Rush Creek Campground
Fishing spots
- Davidson Mountain Nature Preserve
- Chapel Hill Park
- Clayton County International Park
- Jester Creek
- Lake To-Lani
- Buena Vista Lake
Track Scotts 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 Scotts Lake Dam
Where does the data for Scotts 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 Scotts Lake Dam.