Mathews Lake Dam dam
Mathews Lake Dam
Mathews Lake Dam, located in Franklin, Georgia, is a private-owned structure primarily used for recreational purposes. Built by the Soil Conservation Service (SCS), this earth dam stands at a height of 23.7 feet and has a hydraulic height of 18.2 feet. With a storage capacity of 82 acre-feet, the dam's normal storage level is 49.7 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 7 acres. Despite being uncontrolled, the spillway type adds to the dam's unique design, serving as an essential safety feature.
Although Mathews Lake Dam is not regulated by the state, its hazard potential is labeled as undetermined, with a moderate risk assessment of 3. The dam has not been rated for its condition, and the last inspection conducted was in September 2019. While no emergency action plan (EAP) is currently in place, the dam has not been identified as a US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) structure. With its picturesque location in Heard County, Georgia, this dam serves as a vital resource for water and climate enthusiasts seeking recreational activities within a serene natural setting.
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 Mathews Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| New River At Ga 100 | 28 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River At Us 27 | 1,020 cfs | → |
| Yellowjacket Cr At Hammett Rd Blw Hogansville | 17 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River Near Whitesburg | 1,120 cfs | → |
| Hillabahatchee Creek At Thaxton Rd | 6 cfs | → |
| Snake Creek Near Whitesburg | 10 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mathews Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Chattahoochee Bend State Park Riverwalk Trail Coweta County
- Troup County
- Us 27 Alternate;16 Whitesburg
- Mooty Bridge Road Lagrange
- Hutcheson Ferry Road Carroll County
- Pyne Road Park Mega Ramp
Campgrounds
- Chattahoochee Bend State Park
- Brush Creek County Park
- Mcintosh Reserve Park
- Pyne Road Park
- Cochran Mill County Park
- John Tanner State Park
Track Mathews 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 Mathews Lake Dam
Where does the data for Mathews 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 Mathews Lake Dam.