Michael's Pond Dam dam
Michael's Pond Dam
Michael's Pond Dam, located in Ball Ground, Georgia, was completed in 1986 and serves primarily as a recreational water resource. The dam, designed by SCS, stands at a height of 40.1 feet and has a hydraulic height of 38.7 feet. With a maximum storage capacity of 36 acre-feet and a normal storage of 17.3 acre-feet, the dam covers a surface area of 1.5 acres.
Despite being a low-hazard structure with a moderate risk assessment, Michael's Pond Dam has not been rated for its condition. The last inspection in April 2019 did not provide a condition assessment, and the dam's emergency action plan status is unknown. However, with a low hazard potential and uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, the dam continues to be a popular recreational destination for locals and visitors alike.
With its unique earth and buttress core design, Michael's Pond Dam stands as a testament to the importance of water resource management and climate adaptation efforts in the face of changing environmental conditions. As a privately owned structure under the jurisdiction of the local government, the dam symbolizes the intersection of public and private interests in ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources in Cherokee County, 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 Michael's Pond Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Etowah River At Canton | 364 cfs | → |
| Amicalola Creek Near Dawsonville | 83 cfs | → |
| Fausett Creek Near Talking Rock | 4 cfs | → |
| Talking Rock Creek Near Hinton | 61 cfs | → |
| Etowah River At Ga 9 | 95 cfs | → |
| Noonday Creek At Shallowford Road | 13 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Michael's Pond Dam.
Boat launches
- Overlook Drive 1 163, 30102
- Gilmer County
- State Highway 20 Spur Southeast 1121, Cartersville
- Cove Road Murray County
Campgrounds
- Rocky Ford Campsite
- Sweetwater - Allatoona Lake
- Upper Stamp Creek - Allatoona Lake
- Victoria - Allatoona Lake
- Amicalola Falls State Park
- Macedonia - Lake Allatoona
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Source In Cohutta Wilderness To Nf Boundary North Of Murray's Lake
- Southern Boundary Cohutta Wilderness Near Peter Cove To Northern Boundary Cohutta Wilderness Near Alaculsy
- Northern Boundary Cohutta Wilderness To Confluence With Conasauga River
- Nf Boundary To Taylor's Creek In Cherokee Nf (Tn)
- Martin Branch Bridge To Robertsontown Bridge On Ga Highway 356
- Old Turnpike Crossing To Martin Branch Bridge
Track Michael's Pond 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 Michael's Pond Dam
Where does the data for Michael's Pond 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 Michael's Pond Dam.