Morton Lake Dam dam
Morton Lake Dam
Morton Lake Dam, located in Union, Georgia, along Crooked Creek, is a privately owned earth dam primarily used for recreational purposes. Built in 1963, the dam stands at a height of 33 feet and has a length of 475 feet, with a storage capacity of 62 acre-feet. The dam is managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and has a low hazard potential, making it a relatively safe structure.
Despite not being regulated by the state, Morton Lake Dam is subject to regular inspections, with the last one conducted in December 2020. The dam has an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, contributing to its low hazard potential. While its condition is currently not rated, the risk assessment for the dam is moderate (3), indicating a need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its continued safety and functionality. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Morton Lake Dam offers a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of human-made structures and natural water systems in a picturesque setting in Georgia.
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 Morton Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nottely River Near Blairsville | 64 cfs | → |
| Toccoa River Near Dial | 247 cfs | → |
| Valley River At Tomotla | 95 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River At Helen | 60 cfs | → |
| Ocoee River At Copperhill | 245 cfs | → |
| Chestatee River Near Dahlonega | 130 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Morton Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Doucette Circle 2647, 30512
- Jack's Creek Boat Ramp
- Watts Place South Union County
- Nottely Dam Road Union County
- Lake Chatuge Towns County
- Music Hall Road Towns County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Source Near Chattahoochee Gap To Mark Trail Wilderness Boundary
- Mark Trail Wilderness Boundry To Old Turnpike Crossing Near Vandiver Branch
- Old Turnpike Crossing To Martin Branch Bridge
- Martin Branch Bridge To Robertsontown Bridge On Ga Highway 356
- Headwaters Near Mitchell Lick To Owlcamp Branch
- Headwaters In Standing Indian Basin To Slackwater Of Natahala Lake
Track Morton 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 Morton Lake Dam
Where does the data for Morton 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 Morton Lake Dam.