Bristol Lake Dam dam
Bristol Lake Dam
Bristol Lake Dam, located in Duluth, Georgia, is a local government-owned structure on Sweetwater Creek. This Earth dam stands at a height of 16.8 feet and has a hydraulic height of 14.2 feet, with a length of 315 feet. With a capacity to store 68 acre-feet of water, it serves as a critical infrastructure for water resource management in the area.
Despite being unregulated by the state, Bristol Lake Dam is considered to have a moderate risk level, with an undetermined hazard potential and a condition assessment of "Not Rated". The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, highlighting its importance for flood control and water retention. Although the dam's emergency action plan status and risk management measures are not specified, its role in mitigating downstream risks and ensuring water security for the community cannot be understated.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Bristol Lake Dam represents a vital piece of infrastructure that plays a crucial role in managing water resources in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Its location on Sweetwater Creek, coupled with its moderate risk level, underscores the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its continued functionality and safeguard against potential hazards. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, the resilience of structures like Bristol Lake Dam will be essential in adapting to evolving environmental challenges.
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 Bristol Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chattahoochee River Near Norcross | 1,770 cfs | → |
| Suwanee Creek At Suwanee | 20 cfs | → |
| Dick Creek At Old Atlanta Rd | 4 cfs | → |
| N.F. Peachtree Creek At Graves Rd | 0 cfs | → |
| Crooked Creek Near Norcross | 2 cfs | → |
| Level Creek At Suwanee Dam Road | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bristol Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Saint Ives Country Club Parkway Johns Creek
- Chattahochee River Park Peachtree Corners
- Lake Windward Landing 139, Alpharetta
- Johnson Ferry Road Southeast Sandy Springs
- Kings Point Drive Forsyth County
- Van Pugh North Park
Campgrounds
- Stone Mountain Park Campground
- Stone Mountain Campground
- Sawnee
- Shoal Creek - Lake Lanier
- Bald Ridge Creek
- Shady Grove - Lake Lanier
Fishing spots
Track Bristol 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 Bristol Lake Dam
Where does the data for Bristol 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 Undetermined 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 Bristol Lake Dam.