Otting South Lake Dam dam
Otting South Lake Dam
Otting South Lake Dam, located in Cloudland, Georgia, is a privately owned earth dam primarily used for recreation. Standing at a height of 28.4 feet with a hydraulic height of 25.2 feet, this dam serves to provide a storage capacity of 51 acre-feet. While its hazard potential is classified as low, the risk assessment indicates a moderate level of risk (3), highlighting the importance of monitoring and maintenance.
Despite being privately owned, Otting South Lake Dam falls under the jurisdiction of the state, with regular state inspections to ensure its safety and compliance. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, with no associated structures or significant modifications over the years. While the condition assessment is listed as "Not Rated," the dam's risk management measures and emergency preparedness status remain unspecified, warranting further investigation for enthusiasts interested in water resource management and climate resilience.
With its unique design as an earth dam with buttress core types, Otting South Lake Dam presents an intriguing case study for those passionate about water infrastructure and environmental conservation. Its tranquil surroundings and recreational purposes make it a valuable asset in the Chattooga County area, serving as a reminder of the delicate balance between human activities and the natural landscape. As discussions around climate change and water resource management continue to evolve, dams like Otting South Lake Dam offer valuable insights into the intersection of engineering, ecology, and sustainability.
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 Otting South Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chattooga River At Summerville | 99 cfs | → |
| Heath Creek Near Armuchee | 3 cfs | → |
| Chattooga River Above Gaylesville Al | 182 cfs | → |
| Big Wills Creek At State Hwy 35 Nr Fort Payne | 26 cfs | → |
| Little River Near Blue Pond Al | 44 cfs | → |
| Lookout Creek Near New England | 61 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Otting South Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Dekalb County
- County Road 613 Dekalb County
- Floyd County
- Highway 68, Cedar Bluff
- Cherokee County 556, Centre
- Heritage Trail Rome
Campgrounds
- Camp Skyline Ranch
- De Soto State Park
- James H Sloppy Floyd State Park
- James H. Floyd State Park Campground
- Cloudland Canyon State Park
- Backcountry 7
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- River Miles 8 Near Ga Sate Line To Confluence With Little River
- Desoto Falls In Desoto State Park To Confluence With Little River
- Confluence With East And West Branches To Al 37 Bridge
- Al 35 Bridge To Ends One Mile Upstream From Al 273 Bridge
- Begins One Mile Upstream From Al 273 Bridge To Lake Weiss
- Taylors Creek (Rm 74.5) To Nf Boundary (Rm 70.0)
Track Otting South 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 Otting South Lake Dam
Where does the data for Otting South 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 Otting South Lake Dam.