Hopewell Downs Lake Dam dam
Hopewell Downs Lake Dam
Hopewell Downs Lake Dam, located in Birmingham, Georgia, is a privately owned earth dam primarily used for recreational purposes. Standing at a height of 18.7 feet with a hydraulic height of 17.3 feet, this dam boasts a storage capacity of 98 acre-feet and a surface area of 6.5 acres. While it may not be regulated by the state, its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment make it a relatively safe structure for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore.
With a spillway type of "Uncontrolled" and outlet gates also designated as "Uncontrolled," Hopewell Downs Lake Dam presents an intriguing engineering design for enthusiasts to study and appreciate. Despite not having a designated dam length or volume, the dam's unique core type of "Buttress" and unknown foundation add to its mystique. Its location within the Mobile District of the US Army Corps of Engineers further enhances its significance within the water resource management and climate adaptation community.
While Hopewell Downs Lake Dam may not have a recent inspection date or condition assessment rating, its role in providing recreational opportunities and its relatively low hazard potential make it an intriguing site for water resource and climate enthusiasts to visit and study. Its presence in the natural landscape of Fulton County, Georgia, underlines the importance of sustainable water management practices and the need for ongoing monitoring and assessment of dam infrastructure in the face of changing climate dynamics.
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 Hopewell Downs Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Creek Near Alpharetta | 34 cfs | → |
| Dick Creek At Old Atlanta Rd | 4 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River Near Norcross | 1,070 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River Above Roswell | 1,370 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River At Buford Dam | 660 cfs | → |
| Level Creek At Suwanee Dam Road | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hopewell Downs Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake Windward Landing 139, Alpharetta
- Saint Ives Country Club Parkway Johns Creek
- Chattahochee River Park Peachtree Corners
- Kings Point Drive Forsyth County
- Johnson Ferry Road Southeast Sandy Springs
- Browns Bridge Road Forsyth County
Campgrounds
- Sawnee
- Bald Ridge Creek
- Shady Grove - Lake Lanier
- Charleston - Lake Lanier
- Shoal Creek - Lake Lanier
- Sweetwater - Allatoona Lake
Fishing spots
Track Hopewell Downs 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 Hopewell Downs Lake Dam
Where does the data for Hopewell Downs 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 Hopewell Downs Lake Dam.