Smythe Lake Dam dam
Smythe Lake Dam
Smythe Lake Dam, located in Dade, Georgia, is a privately owned earth dam designed by Mr. Smyth in 1975 for recreational purposes. The dam stands at a height of 27 feet and has a hydraulic height of 21.9 feet, creating a reservoir with a maximum storage capacity of 79 acre-feet. Despite having a low hazard potential, the dam has a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, indicating the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its safety and integrity.
Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Smythe Lake Dam overlooks the scenic McClain Branch river/stream and covers a surface area of 4.2 acres. While the dam itself has not undergone any modifications in recent years, it is subject to regular inspections every five years to assess its condition. With uncontrolled spillways and outlet gates, the dam's emergency action plan status and risk management measures remain unspecified, highlighting the importance of proactive measures to mitigate any potential risks associated with its operation.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate Smythe Lake Dam for its role in providing recreational opportunities in the area while also serving as a vital infrastructure for water storage and management. Its location in a picturesque setting, combined with its historical significance and engineering design, make it a fascinating site for those interested in the intersection of human-made structures with natural landscapes. As efforts continue to ensure the safety and sustainability of the dam, it remains a valuable asset for both the local community and the environment.
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 Smythe Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Lookout Creek Near New England | 66 cfs | → |
| South Chickamauga Creek Near Chickamauga | 146 cfs | → |
| Sequatchie River Near Whitwell | 150 cfs | → |
| North Chickamauga Cr At Mile Straight | 2 cfs | → |
| North Chickamauga Creek Near Montlake | 0 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek At Dalton | 20 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Smythe Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Macedonia Road Marion County
- U.S. 41 18039, Chattanooga
- Mapleview Road, South Pittsburg
- Interstate 24, Jasper
- Hales Bar Road 950, Guild
- Cummings Highway Chattanooga
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Desoto Falls In Desoto State Park To Confluence With Little River
- River Miles 8 Near Ga Sate Line To Confluence With Little River
- Confluence With East And West Branches To Al 37 Bridge
- Al 35 Bridge To Ends One Mile Upstream From Al 273 Bridge
- Begins One Mile Upstream From Al 273 Bridge To Lake Weiss
- Taylors Creek (Rm 74.5) To Nf Boundary (Rm 70.0)
Track Smythe 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 Smythe Lake Dam
Where does the data for Smythe 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 Smythe Lake Dam.