Hampton Lake Dam dam
Hampton Lake Dam
Hampton Lake Dam, located in Cobb, Georgia, stands as a testament to the importance of water resource management and climate resilience. Built in 1950 for the primary purpose of recreation, this Earth dam with a height of 18.6 feet and a capacity of 65 acre-feet serves as a vital structure along Jackson Creek. Despite being privately owned, the dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its continued safety and effectiveness in the face of changing environmental conditions.
The dam, which is under the jurisdiction of the Savannah District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, emphasizing the need for proper emergency preparedness and risk management measures. While the dam's condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Rated", its historical significance and role in water storage for recreational purposes make it a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts. With a surface area of 5.5 acres and a normal storage capacity of 29 acre-feet, Hampton Lake Dam serves as a critical piece of infrastructure in the Mt Bethel Church Environs, highlighting the intersection of human development and environmental stewardship in the region.
As the dam approaches its 70th year since completion, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges and opportunities in managing water resources in a changing climate. With no state regulation or inspection currently in place, the responsibility falls on the private owner to ensure the dam's continued safety and functionality. As water resource and climate enthusiasts continue to advocate for sustainable practices and resilient infrastructure, Hampton Lake Dam stands as a microcosm of the larger issues facing water management in the 21st century, highlighting the need for proactive measures to address potential risks and ensure the long-term viability of our water resources.
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 Hampton Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chattahoochee River Below Morgan Falls Dam | 1,010 cfs | → |
| Sope Creek Near Marietta | 10 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River Above Roswell | 615 cfs | → |
| Nancy Creek At Rickenbacker Drive | 7 cfs | → |
| Crooked Creek Near Norcross | 2 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River At Atlanta | 922 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hampton Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Johnson Ferry Road Southeast Sandy Springs
- Riveredge Lane Northwest Sandy Springs
- West Palisades Vinings
- Cobb Parkway South Vinings
- Chattahochee River Park Peachtree Corners
- Lake Windward Landing 139, Alpharetta
Campgrounds
- Dobbins Lakeside Military
- Payne - Allatoona Lake
- Victoria - Allatoona Lake
- Clark Creek South - Allatoona Lake
- Sweetwater - Allatoona Lake
- Clark Creek North - Allatoona Lake
Fishing spots
Track Hampton 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 Hampton Lake Dam
Where does the data for Hampton 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 Hampton Lake Dam.