Lake Swan Dam dam
Lake Swan Dam
Lake Swan Dam, located in Hiram, Georgia, serves as a vital recreational spot along Davis Mill Creek. Constructed in 1989, the earth dam stands at a height of 25.5 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 962 acre-feet. The dam spans 300 feet in length, creating a surface area of 49 acres for visitors to enjoy water-based activities.
Despite its primary purpose for recreation, Lake Swan Dam poses a high hazard potential due to its poor condition assessment, with a moderate risk level of 3. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, and is regulated by the Georgia Safe Dams Program. With a history of state inspection, enforcement, and permitting, the dam remains under private ownership but remains a significant focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts in the region.
Enthusiasts and visitors alike are drawn to Lake Swan Dam for its picturesque setting and recreational opportunities, but its high hazard potential and poor condition assessment highlight the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure public safety and environmental protection. As climate change continues to pose challenges for water resources, the dam serves as a reminder of the critical role that infrastructure plays in managing and conserving our natural resources for future generations.
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 Lake Swan Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Noses Creek At Powder Springs Rd | 20 cfs | → |
| Sweetwater Creek Near Austell | 121 cfs | → |
| Sweetwater Creek Below Austell | 131 cfs | → |
| Chattahoochee River Near Fairburn | 1,400 cfs | → |
| Utoy Creek At Great Southwest Pkwy Nr Atlanta | 11 cfs | → |
| Nickajack Creek At Us 78/278 | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Swan Dam.
Boat launches
- Hooch Boat Ramp
- North Main Street Southeast Bartow County
- Gayle Drive Southeast Bartow County
- Cobb Parkway South Vinings
- West Palisades Vinings
- Riveredge Lane Northwest Sandy Springs
Campgrounds
- Beautiful Rock Campgound
- World Famous Lake Military - Atlanta Nas
- Dobbins Lakeside Military
- Old Hwy 41 - Allatoona Lake
- Lake Allatoona Military - Fort Mcpherson
- Vfw County Park
Fishing spots
Track Lake Swan 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 Lake Swan Dam
Where does the data for Lake Swan 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 High 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 Lake Swan Dam.