Parks Lake Dam dam
Parks Lake Dam
Parks Lake Dam in Hall, Georgia, is a private earth dam with a height of 29 feet and a length of 410 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 45 acre-feet and a surface area of 4 acres. While the dam's hazard potential is currently labeled as "undetermined," its risk assessment is rated as moderate (3), indicating a level of risk that should be monitored and managed.
Located in the Savannah District, Parks Lake Dam does not fall under state jurisdiction and is not regulated, inspected, or permitted by state agencies. With an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, the dam's condition assessment is listed as "not rated," highlighting the need for further evaluation and monitoring to ensure its safety and stability. Although the dam's emergency action plan status and risk management measures are unspecified, its risk assessment level underscores the importance of proactive monitoring and maintenance to mitigate potential hazards and ensure the safety of the surrounding area.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Parks Lake Dam presents an intriguing case study in dam safety and risk management. With its moderate risk level and limited regulatory oversight, the dam serves as a reminder of the importance of regular inspections, maintenance, and emergency preparedness for infrastructure projects, especially in private ownership. As the climate continues to change and water resources come under increasing stress, the safety and resilience of structures like Parks Lake Dam will be essential in safeguarding communities and ecosystems against potential risks and hazards.
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 Parks Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chattahoochee River Near Cornelia | 283 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River Near Leaf | 151 cfs | → |
| Wheeler Creek At Bill Cheek Road | 2 cfs | → |
| Middle Oconee River Near Arcade | 123 cfs | → |
| Chestatee River Near Dahlonega | 130 cfs | → |
| Apalachee River At Fence Road | 1 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Parks Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Hall County
- Van Pugh North Park
- Browns Bridge Road Forsyth County
- Kings Point Drive Forsyth County
- Morrison Moore Parkway East Dahlonega
- Mountain Shadows Drive White County
Campgrounds
- Laurel Park - Lake Lanier
- River Forks - Lake Lanier
- Duckett Mill - Lake Lanier
- Lake Russell Recreation Area
- Lake Russell
- Bolding Mill - Lake Lanier
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Martin Branch Bridge To Robertsontown Bridge On Ga Highway 356
- Confluence Of Brasstown Creek And Little Brasstown Creek Just South Of Brasstown Falls Road (Fs 751) To Confluence Of Mill Branch, Brasstown Creek And Boatwright Creek Near Boatwright Road (Fs 753)
- Old Turnpike Crossing To Martin Branch Bridge
- Mark Trail Wilderness Boundry To Old Turnpike Crossing Near Vandiver Branch
- Source Near Chattahoochee Gap To Mark Trail Wilderness Boundary
- Confluence Of Cedar Creek To 1/4 Mile Below The Nf Boundary And Fh 110, Cobbs Bridge Road
Track Parks 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 Parks Lake Dam
Where does the data for Parks 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 Parks Lake Dam.